Chapter 20 Lymphatic Flashcards
Protein containing fluid within lymphatic vessels
Lymph
Stores blood platelets
Spleen
Receives lymph from most of the body
Thoracic duct
Small organs intimately associated with lymphatic vessels
Lymph nodes
Largest lymphatic organ
Spleen
Isolated clusters of lymph follicles found in the wall of the small intestine
Peyers patches
Peyers patches are clusters of lymphoid tissue found primarily in the large intestine
False
Small intestine
There are more Efferent lymphatic vessels leaving a lymph node and there are afferent vessels and during a lymph node
False
There are less efferent
Like blood lymph flows both to and from the heart
False
Only flows towards the heart
The cisterns chyli collects went from the lumbar trunks draining the upper limbs in from the intestinal trunk draining the digestive organs
False
In the spleen red pulp is involved in the immune functions and white pulp is involved in the disposing of worn out red blood cells
False
Stores RBCs
The most important role of the spleen is to provide a site for lymphocyte proliferation and immune surveillance and response
False
One role of the spleen
Small secondary lymphoid organs which cluster along lymphatic vessels are termed
Lymph nodes
Which of the following would not be classified as a lymphoid organ
Pancreas
Which of the following statements regarding the thymus is false
It has follicles similar to those in the spleen
Which of the following correctly describes the pathway of lymph
Lymphatic capillaries to lymphatic vessels to lymphatic trunks to lymphatic duct
The thymus is most active during
Childhood
Lymph traveling from the left arm would enter the venous circulation via the
Thoracic duct
Which of the following is not a pair of lymphatic system
Erythrocytes
Lymphatic capillaries are
More permeable than blood vessels
Antibodies that act against a particular foreign substance are released by
Plasma cells
Lymph leaves a lymph node via
Efferent lymphatic vessels
Lymph vessels do not transport
Erythrocytes
Functions of the spleen include all of the following except
Forming crypts that trap bacteria
When lymphatic structures of a limb or blocked due to tumor is the result is
Severe localized Edema distal to the blockage of that limb
Select the correct statement about lymphocytes
B cells produce plasma cells which secrete antibodies into the blood
Select the correct statement about lymphoid tissue
Lymphoid tissue is predominantly reticular connective tissue
Lymphoid tissue that appears as a swelling of the mucosa in the oral cavity is called
Tonsil
Which of the following structures is not considered a mucosa associated lymphoid tissue(MALT)
Thymus
Peyers Patches are found in the distal portion of the
Small intestine
Lymphatic capillaries are present in
Digestive organs
What is a bubo
An infected lymph node
The thymus is the only lymphoid organ that does not
Directly fight antigens
Large clusters of lymph nodes are not found in the____region
Popliteal
Mucosa associated lymphoid tissues include all the following except
Islets of Langerhans
Which of the following is not a method that maintains lymph flow
Capillary smooth muscle contraction
The tonsils are located at the base of the tongue are the
Lingual tonsils
Which lymphoid organs and tissues are characterized by cortex and medulla
Lymph nodes and thymus only
Which lymphoid organ atrophies as we age
Thymus
Which of the following is considered a primary lymphoid organ
Thymus
Which of the following is not a function of the lymphatic system
Transporting respiratory gases
Which of the following is not a function of the spleen
Produce new erythrocytes in adults
The blood testis barrier is to newly formed sperm cells as the blood thymus barrier is to
T lymphocyte precursors
Which of the following statements is false
The thymus Consist mainly of lymphoid tissue
Which of the following statements is false regarding spleen
Red pulp is where immune functions take place
Flow of limp through a lymph node is slow due to
If you are efferent vessels draining it compared to many afferent vessels feeding it
Tonsils have blind ended structures called___ That trap bacteria and particulate matter
Tonsillar Crypts
From the right leg length moves in which order
Right lumbar trunk thoracic duct left subclavian vein
Although B and T lymphocytes originate in the bone marrow T cells mature in the
Thymus
Lymphatic____Are formed from the union of the largest collecting lymphatic vessels
Trunks
Fats absorbed from the small intestine are transported into the blood stream via
Lacteals
Which lymphoid organ or tissue lacks a reticular fiber stroma
Thymus
Describe the structural and functional relationship between a capillary bed of the blood vascular system and lymphatic capillaries.
Blind-ended lymphatic capillaries weave between the tissue cells and blood capillaries in the loose connective tissues of the body. Although similar to blood capillaries, lymphatic capillaries are even more permeable due to minivalves that act as one-way swinging doors. Leaked fluid from blood capillaries is taken up by the lymphatic capillaries as well as proteins in the interstitial space that are unable to enter blood capillaries.
Describe the mechanisms by which lymphatic fluid is moved through the lymphatics.
Lymphatic fluid is moved through the lymphatics by the milking action of active skeletal muscles, pressure changes within the thorax during breathing, valves to prevent backflow, and pulsation of adjacent arteries.
What is the consequence of obstruction of the lymphatics?
: Obstruction of the lymphatics results in edema distal in the body to the obstruction.
Where are the lymph node aggregations most dense?
Lymph node aggregations are most dense near the body surface in the inguinal, axillary, and cervical regions of the body.
What is the special role of the thymus gland?
By secreting hormones, the thymus gland causes T lymphocytes to become immunocompetent (able to defend against specific pathogens in the immune response).
Name the tonsils and state their body locations
Palatine tonsils are located on either side at the posterior end of the oral cavity. The lingual tonsil lies at the base of the tongue. The pharyngeal tonsil is in the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. The tiny tubal tonsils surround the openings of the auditory tubes into the pharynx.
List the functions of the spleen.
The spleen’s main functions are to remove aged or defective blood cells and platelets from the blood and to store or release some of the breakdown products of RBCs to the blood for processing by the liver. Other functions include acting as a blood filter and reservoir, serving as a site for erythrocyte production in developing embryos, storing blood platelets, and providing a site for lymphocyte proliferation and immune surveillance and response.
Characterize lymph transport in terms of rate, volume, and ability to change
: Lymph transport is sporadic and much slower than that occurring in veins. About 3 liters of lymph enters the bloodstream in a 24-hour period. An increase in physical activity will cause lymph flow to increase, balancing the greater rate of fluid outflow from the vascular system.
How do the lymphatic capillaries differ from blood capillaries?
Although similar to blood capillaries, lymphatic capillaries differ structurally in the following ways: (1) The endothelial cells forming the walls of lymphatic capillaries are not tightly joined. Their edges loosely overlap one another, forming flaplike minivalves. (2) Bundles of fine filaments anchor the endothelial cells to surrounding structures so that any increase in interstitial fluid volume separates the cell flaps, exposing gaps in the wall rather than causing the lymphatic capillary to collapse.
How does the lymphatic system both help and hinder the spread of cancer through the body?
Lymph nodes help rid the body of cancer cells by immune mechanisms. Lymph vessels may also be used to spread cancer cells throughout the body if immunity is not effective against the cancer cells because a cancer cell that escapes lymphatic filtration will reach the bloodstream and be carried anywhere in the body.
How does the structure of a lymph node allow lymphocytes and macrophages to perform their protective function?
Macrophages and lymphocytes are located in lymph nodes. Macrophages ingest microorganisms and cellular debris. Lymphocytes monitor the lymphatic stream for the presence of antigens and mount an immune response. Because there are fewer efferent vessels draining the node than afferent vessels that feed it, the flow of lymph through the node stagnates somewhat, allowing time for the lymphocytes and macrophages to work.
Define the term MALT. What is its function?
MALT is an acronym for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. It includes Peyer’s patches, the appendix, and the tonsils in the digestive tract, lymphoid follicles in the walls of the bronchi, and genitourinary tract. Collectively, MALT protects passages open to the exterior from foreign matter invading the walls.
How are lymphatic capillaries affected by tissue inflammation?
When tissues become inflamed, lymphatic capillaries develop openings that permit uptake of larger particles such as cell debris, pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses), and cancer cells. In the lymph nodes, cells of the immune system “examine” the lymph and cleanse it of debris.
A mother takes her son to the doctor and describes the following symptoms that she has observed. The child is running a fever, has flu-like symptoms, and his lymph glands are very swollen and sore to the touch. Of what significance are the swollen and sore lymph glands?
When tissues are inflamed, such as due to a bacterial infection, lymphatic capillaries develop openings that permit the uptake of the pathogens. The inflammation and pain indicate lymph nodes infected by microorganisms.
A woman had a mastectomy that included the removal of axillary lymph nodes on her left side. What does she risk regarding her left arm and why?
Total removal of the axillary lymph nodes results in severe localized edema because the lymphatic vessels are also lost. This results in chronic edema along the arm, although some lymphatic drainage is eventually reestablished by regrowth of the vessels.
A man involved in a traffic accident is rushed to the emergency room of a hospital with severe internal bleeding. Examination reveals a ruptured spleen. What is the treatment of choice and what is the likely long-term outcome (prognosis)?
Supportive care or splenic repair is the treatment of choice, depending on severity. Splenectomy is not as necessary as once believed, and is now performed less frequently. If the spleen does need to be removed, the prognosis is very good, as the functions of the spleen are largely taken over by the liver and bone marrow.
While passing through a village on safari you notice a man with one enormous leg and one normal-sized leg. What could have caused the increased size of the swollen leg?
The man has Filariasis commonly known as elephantiasis, which is caused by parasitic worms that get in the lymph system and reproduce to proportions that block the vessels. The swelling is due to edema.
Lymphedema may occur as a complication after a radical mastectomy, in which lymph nodes have been removed. Explain why it might occur.
Anything that prevents the normal return of lymph to the blood, such as blockage of the lymphatics by tumors or removal of lymphatics during surgery, results in severe localized edema (lymphedema).
A nurse palpated enlarged lymph nodes. Describe signs and symptoms that help to distinguish cancerous lymph nodes from infected lymph nodes.
Tender nodes are usually due to inflammation, whereas hard, fixed, nontender nodes are suggestive of malignancy
Describe why the prognosis of cancer is best when there is no detectable spread from the region of the primary tumor to the lymph nodes.
Cancer cells that break free from the primary tumor can metastasize via the lymph system. Even if a lymph node is 99% effective in trapping malignant cells, given the ability of a tumor to continuously shed cells into lymphatic capillaries, that still means that 100 out of every 10,000 cells get through. So the presence of any trapped cells in a lymph node is a warning that a few others may have escaped entrapment.
As the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) progresses, some individuals develop persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (any disease of the lymph nodes). Explain why this may occur.
This may occur because lymph nodes are overwhelmed by a large number of virus particles trapped in the nodes, which stimulate an ineffective immune reaction but cannot be quickly eliminated due to the weakened immune state. The weak immune reaction persists, causing swelling of the nodes.
