Diseases of the lymphatic system (unit 9) Flashcards
Connective tissues containing densely packed lymphocytes.
- In the lining of body cavities and body organs (digestive, respiratory, urinary)
Lymphoid Tissues
Connective tissues containing densely packed lymphocytes covered with a capsule.
-Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and tonsils.
Lymphoid organs
Covered with a capsule.
Encapsulated
- Transports about three liters of fluid (called lymph) from tissues back to blood vessels (bloodstream) every 24 hours.
- Protects and defends body against diseases by producing white blood cells and phagocytes and housing agranular leukocytes.
Lymphatic System Function
Includes proteins, fats, and fat soluble vitamins (D,A,K,E) transported from the digestive (GI) tract to blood.
Components of lymph
- Most disorders related to diseases of other systems (Infection somewhere in the body)
- Fever, fatigue, weight loss
- Lymphocytosis or lymphocytopenia
Signs and symptoms of Lymphatic Disease
Swelling or enlargement of one or more lymph nodes.
Lymphadenopathy
Multiple lymph nodes are diseased.
Generalized Lymphadenopathy
- Leukemia
- Metastatic neoplasms
- Infections - TB, syphilis, fungal
- Monoucleosis
Etiology of Generalized Lymphadenopathy
A few lymph nodes are diseased.
Localized lymphadenopathy
A localized lymphadenopathy that is caused by:
- Injury or infection of hands, arms, upper chest
- Metastatic cancers from the lungs or breasts
Axillary
A localized lymphadenopathy that is caused by:
- Respiratory infections
- Injury or infection of the head or upper chest
- Mononucleosis, leukemia
- Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease
Cervical (neck)
A localized lymphadenopathy that is caused by:
- Injury or infection of feet, legs, groin, abdomen
- Leukemia, mononucleosis, STDs
- Late stage Hodgkin’s disease
- Inflammation of the intestines, gall bladder, appendix, urinary tract.
Inguinal
Inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Lymphadenitis
- Usually physiological as lymph nodes receive exudates from a site or injury or infection.
- Specific infections may grow in the lymph nodes and cause harm:
- TB
- Syphilis in the late stages
- Typhoid fever (caused by Salmonella)
- Tularemia (rabbit fever) - transmitted to humans
- Any infection from the gall bladder or appendix
Etiology of lymphadenitis
Inflammation of lymph vessels
Lymphangitis