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
Common complication of a bacterial infection such as acute streptococcal or staphylococcal infection of the skin.
Etiology of Lymphangitis
- Red streaks from infected area to armpit or groin (may be faint or obvious).
- Throbbing pain along the affected area.
- Fever of 100-104F and chills
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches
Symptoms of Lymphangitis
Inflammation of the tonsils (sore throat).
Tonsillitis
Help filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection.
Function of tonsils
Become inflamed when overwhelmed by bacterial (strep) or viral infection.
Etiology of tonsillitis
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore throat - lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe.
- Tenderness of the jaw and throat.
- Voice changes, or loss of voice.
- Ear pain
- Fever, chills
- Headache
Symptoms of tonsillitis
Enlargement of the spleen.
Splenomegaly
- Trauma or injury to ribs or abdomen on the left side.
- Infections- Mononucleosis, salmonella, viruses
- Neoplasms (leukemia)
Etiology of splenomegaly
- Tenderness, pain and discomfort on the left side
- Anemia (damage to the red blood cells)
Symptoms of splenomegaly
Rupture of the spleen and hemorrhage.
Danger of splenomegaly
Overactive spleen.
- Filters out too many red blood cells -> leading to increased destruction anemia
Hypersplenism
Lymphoid organ, near the thyroid and the heart.
- Most active during childhood producing T-lymphocytes.
- At puberty it is totally inactive and starts turning into fatty tissue.
Thymus
Cancer of the thymus
- Occurs in young adults
- Metastasizes slowly, if at all
- Causes swelling in the neck
- Easily diagnosed -> surgically removed
Malignant thymoma
- Most are malignant
- Called lymphomas or lymphosarcoma
Neoplasms of the lymphatic system
Malignancy of lymphoid tissue.
Lymphomas
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
2. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Two main types of lymphomas
Most common lymphoma.
- Probably viral cause or genetic disposition
- Cancer cells- Reed-Sternberg cells
- More common in young males (24-40)
- Cancerous lymph nodes or tissues become hard and calcified. -> spread to lungs, spleen and lining of the intestines.
- Some disfigurement over a period of a months to years as the neoplasm spreads to other lymph nodes and lymph tissue.
- Life expectancy: 2-10 years
- 20% mortality rate
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Malignant, nonfunctional cells (derive from B- Lymphocytes); very important for diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Reed- Sternberg cells
- Tender, painless and enlarged cervical (most common) lymph nodes, usually on one side.
- Weight loss, fever, and general itching over the entire body.
Complications of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Spreads faster than Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Arises within lymph nodes, jaw or the brain (probably due to immunosuppressive medications).
- B-lymphocytes or T-lymphocytes
- Age 40-55, more males than females
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Painless, enlarged cervical, axillary, and inguinal nodes.
- Fever, night sweats and weight loss.
- Lymph tissue is often the site of spread for metastatic cancers of lungs, breasts and stomach.
Complications of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Caused by a blockage of lymphatic drainage.
Lymphedema
Results from scar tissue formation or parasitic infections (e.g. roundworms) -> may cause grossly distended, swollen limbs and external genitalia.
- This is a type of lymphedema
Lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis)
- Edema
- Emaciation
- Dehydration
- Metastasis
Postmortem conditions
