Assessment of the Lymphatic System

Question 1

What is the function of the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

Regulation and maintenance of fluids, helps large molecules enter the blood, delivers nutrients, removes wastes, provides immunologic surveillance, defense against infections, abnormal body cells, and foreign proteins

Question 2

How many lymphatic trunks are there in the body?

Answer 2

9

Question 3

Where are the lymphatic trunks located?

Answer 3

1. lumbar (2)
2. bronchomediastinal (2)
3. subclavian (2)
4. jugular (2)
5. intestinal (1)

Question 4

How are lymphatic organs classified?

Answer 4

according to primary and secondary organs

Question 5

What are the primary lymphatic organs?

Answer 5

the red bone marrow and the thymus

Question 6

What are the secondary lymphatic organs?

Answer 6

lymph nodes, lymphoid tissues, the spleen, the tonsils, the appendix

Question 7

Where do primary B and T cells originiate?

Answer 7

bone marrow

Question 8

Where do B cells mature?

Answer 8

the bone marrow

Question 9

Where do T cells mature?

Answer 9

the thymus

Question 10

Where is the thymus located?

Answer 10

within the mediastinum posterior to the sternum

Question 11

What two types of lymphoid tissue exist?

Answer 11

mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)

Question 12

At what point do antibodies develop?

Answer 12

When B cells turn into plasma cells after receiving a signal from helper T cells.

Question 13

What type of B cell generates a faster secondary response?

Answer 13

memory B cells

Question 14

What type of immunoglobulins are there?

Answer 14

IgG, IgE, IgD, IgM, IgA

Question 15

How do immunoglobulins function?

Answer 15

They identify foreign pathogens and hold onto the antigen to prevent further damage to the body

Question 16

What is immunoglobulin function also known as?

Answer 16

acquired immunity

Question 17

What is passive immunity?

Answer 17

immunity produced through the transfer of antibodies from one person to another. (ex: baby to mother)

Question 18

What is active immunity?

Answer 18

naturally acquired immunity (ex: getting the flu or flu vaccine)

Question 19

What are some red flags regarding lymph nodes?

Answer 19

Hard
Fixed
Matted
>1cm in size
Generalized
Unilateral
Associated with systemic symptoms (weight loss, fever, night sweats)

Question 20

When is a lymph node considered abnormal?

Answer 20

any time it can be palpated no matter the size

Question 21

In which locations should the lymph nodes be palpated?

Answer 21

periauricular
parotid
retropharyngeal (tonsillar)
submandibular (submaxilarry)
submental
anterior cervical
supraclavicular 
occipital
postauricular
posterior cervical
axillary
subclavicular
external mammary
epitrochlear
inguinal

Question 22

What are some laboratory considerations for the lymphatic system?

Answer 22

CBC assesses immune function
Chem panel
Specific tests for infections: CXR, UA, ESR, CRP
Bone marrow biopsy

Question 23

What is the recommended diagnostic study for lymphadenopathy?

Answer 23

ultrasonography

Question 24

What test is utilized to assess lymphatic malformations and lymph drainage patterns?

Answer 24

Lymphoscintigraphy

Question 25

In lymphoma where do tumors form?

Answer 25

Tumors develop from the T and B cells

Question 26

What is sarcoidosis?

Answer 26

An inflammatory disease in which granulomas (tiny pockets of inflammatory cells) develop and form in organs of the body most commonly in the lung, lymph nodes, eyes, and skin.

Question 27

When do lymph nodes pose a very low risk of being neoplastic?

Answer 27

When they are enlarged for less than 2 weeks or greater than 12 months without changing in size

Question 28

Do lymph nodes pulsate?

Answer 28

No

Question 29

What lymph node is known to be highly suspicious for thoracic or abdominal malignancy?

Answer 29

A palpable lymph node, Virchow’s node, located in the left supraclavicular area.