CH 15 - Peripheral Vascular System & Regional Lymphatic System Flashcards
Peripheral Vascular System
Contains an intricate system of arteries and veins
Lymphatic System
Carries lymph fluid throughout our circulation
Lymphedema
Injuries to the lymphatic system such as severe burns or excessive scarring
Can be caused by cancer treatments that remove or damage your lymph nodes
Any problem that blocks the drainage of lymph fluid can cause:
- Cancer: Ex. a tumor growing near a lymph node or lymph vessel could enlarge enough to block the flow of the lymph fluid
- Radiation treatment for cancer - Radiation can cause scarring and inflammation of lymph nodes/lymph vessels
- Surgery: in cancer surgery, lymph nodes are often removed to see if the disease has spread. However, this doesn’t always result in lymphedema
- Parasites: In developing countries in the tropics, the most common cause of lymphedema is infection with threadlike worms that clog the lymph nodes
- Congenital disorders
Severe cases of lymphedema can affect the ability to move the affected limb, increase the risks of skin infections and sepsis, and can lead to skin changes and breakdown. Treatment may include compression bandages, massage, compression stockings, sequential pneumatic pumping, careful skin care and surgery to remove swollen tissue or to create new drainage routes.
Arteries
Narrow, thick vessels that transport oxygenated blood away from both the ventricles of the heart to every part of the body
Arteries branch off into arterioles
Arterioles are smaller therefore they transport a smaller amount of blood. They surround the organs and tissues to ensure they receive oxygen.
Capillaries allow for oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients to shift out of the capillaries into the cells.
3 Layers of Arteries
Tunica Adventitia: strong outer covering
Tunica Media: the middle layer
Tunica Intima: inner layer
Veins
Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
The majority of the larger veins have unidirectional valves
Veins in the upper extremities carry deoxygenated blood to the right atrium of the heart
Veins in the lower extremities carry deoxygenated blood to the inferior vena cava
In fetal circulation: pulmonary and umbilical veins transport oxygenated blood to the heart
Veins have the same 3 layers as arteries
Lymphatic System
Produces WBC’s for fighting off invading pathogens, return protein and fluid that gets trapped in the tissues back to the circulatory system
First line of defense against disease
Comes from the Latin word ‘lymphaticus’ meaning connected to water
One way upward flow system
Two major ducts that the lymphatic vessels flow into are:
- Right Lymphatic Duct: Drains right side, head, neck, arm, thorax, lung, heart, liver
- Thoracic Duct: collects most lymph in the body, empties into the left subclavian vein
Lymph Fluid
Made of proteins, water, impurities, and waste products from the body’s tissues
Is normally absorbed from body tissues and moves through a series of vessels and lymph nodes.
as the fluid passes through the nodes, it is purified of harmful bacteria and viruses and moves unidirectionally within the lymphatic system
Lymphatic Systems Structure
Spleen
- Largest lymphatic organ
- Filters blood
Thymus
- Produces T lymphocytes (WBC’s)
Bone Marrow
- Produces both red and white blood cells
Tonsils and Adenoids
- Initial line of defense as part of the immune system
Appendix
- Contains lymphatic tissue
Lymph Nodes
- Monitor and cleanse lymph
Peyers patches in the small intestine
- Raised clusters of lymphoid tissue in the small intestine
Lymph Nodes
Network of fibers and irregular channels that slow down lymph flow
As the lymph fluid passes through the nodes, the fibers filter out bacteria, viruses, and cellular depris
There are about 450 lymph nodes present in the average human body
60-70 lymph nodes in the head and neck regions
100 in the thorax
250 in the abdomen and pelvis
Diagnostics
Computed tomography (CT scan) - noninvasive test that can tract blood flow in affected areas
Duplex ultrasound
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
Angiogram - uses x ray and dye to visuallize blood flow. are used if an obstruction is suspected in the coronary or peripheral vascular system
Angioplasty - balloon is placed in the blocked and inflated in the blocked area to widen the diameter of the artery and increase blood flow
Lymph node biopsy
