A29 - Lymphatics

Question 1

what makes up the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

• bone marow, spleen, thymus
• lymphatic vessels
• lymph nodes
• MALT

Question 2

what does MALT stand for?

Answer 2

mucosa- associated lymphoid tissue

Question 3

what is the fucntion of the lymphatic system?

Answer 3

• removes excess fluid (interstitial/tissue fluid) from the tissues of the body and returns it (as lymph) to the venous system
• carry fats from the GI tract to the venous system
• produces immune cells in the defence against infection and cancer

Question 4

what is the major lymphatic vessel in the body that returns lymph to large veins in the neck?

Answer 4

thoracic duct

Question 5

what is tissue fluid?

Answer 5

excess fluid left in the tissue

Question 6

when is tissue fluid called lymph?

Answer 6

when the fluid is taken up by lymphatic vessels

Question 7

what causes elephatistis?

Answer 7

insufficient drainage of lymph

Question 8

where is lymph not produced?

Answer 8

in the brain

Question 9

what do lymph nodes do?

Answer 9

• filter lymph

- screened it for infectious agents and cancer cells by the lymphocytes and macrophages

Question 10

how do lymph nodes attempt to fight against infection?

Answer 10

produces germinal centres, enlarges and become painful due to its capsule stretching

Question 11

what are regional lymph nodes?

Answer 11

the group of nosed which first receive lymph from any given structure/area

Question 12

what is the drainage of the superficial structures of the head and neck?

Answer 12

superficial ring of regional lymph nodes

• occipital nodes
• mastoid nodes
• superficial cervical nodes
• parotid nodes
• buccal nodes
• submental nodes
• submandibular nodes

Question 13

what is the drainage of the deep structures of the head and neck?

Answer 13

• deep cervical nodes

Question 14

What is the name for the ring of lymphoid tissue which circumscribes the naso- and oropharynx?

Answer 14

Waldeyer’s defensive ring of lymphoid tissue

Question 15

What is considered the first line of defence against exogenous aggressors in the mouth?

Answer 15

tonsils

Question 16

What is the most essential tonsillar function?

Answer 16

The generation of B cells in the germinal centres of the tonsils

Question 17

What are the tonsils lying in the oropharynx and are the most commonly known?

Answer 17

palatine tonsils

Question 18

What are the tonsils associated with the palate?

Answer 18

Palate Associated Lymphoid Tissue

Question 19

What are the tonsils of the superior nasopharynx?

Answer 19

Pharyngeal Tonsils

Question 20

What are the tonsils of the nasopharynx associated with the pharyngotympanic tube?

Answer 20

Tubual Tonsils

Question 21

What are the tonsils of the oropharynx associated with the posterior part of the tongue?

Answer 21

Lingual Tonsils

Question 22

What lymph node does the palatine tonsil drain into?

Answer 22

Jugulo-digastric Node

Question 23

what areas drain into the submental nodes?

Answer 23

• lower anterior teeth
• alveolar bone
• gingiva
• middle of lower lip and chin
• tip of the tongue

Question 24

What lymph nodes do the upper teeth drain into first?

Answer 24

submandibular

Question 25

what is the pathway of lymph drainage of the teeth and the gingiva?

Answer 25

submental > submandibular > deep cervical

Question 26

where does the posterior 1/3 of the tongue train lymph?

Answer 26

bi-laterally to superior cervical

Question 27

where does the anterior 2/3 of the tongue drain?
middle
sides
tip

Answer 27

• middle drains bi-laterally to inferior deep cervical lymph nodes
• sides drain uni-laterally to submandibular nodes
• tip drains bi-laterally to submental nodes

Question 28

What are the symptoms of an infected lymph node?

Answer 28

swollen 
painful
soft
smooth
not fixed (stuck to) adjacent structures
improve rapidly with antibiotics

Question 29

What are the symptoms of a cancerous lymph node?

Answer 29

swollen
not painful
hard
irregular
fixed 
do not improve