Function of the Lymph Nodes and Spleen Flashcards
where are fetal haematopoietic stem cells made?
liver
name primary lymphoid tissues
bone marrow
thymus
name secondary lymphoid tissues
lymph nodes spleen waldeyers ring (tonsils) GI tract BM
how are the spleen and lymph nodes similar?
both filter circulatory fluids
both locations of immune cells
leakage of lymph into the peritoneal cavity is called…
chylous ascites
describe the appearance of chylous ascites
milky
lipid rich fluid
how does the lymphatic system ensure direction of flow?
valves
what area of the lymph node do afferent lymph channels drain to?
peripheral sinus
what is the cisterna chyli?
dilated sac at the lower end of the thoracic duct that drains lymph from the lumbar/instestinal lymphatic systems
what are germinal centres?
locations in 2ndary lymphoid organs eg LNs/spleen where B cells mature and proliferate
the thoracic duct drains what side mainly? what does it drain?
left
left head/neck/thorax
all lymph below diaphragm
what trunks primarily drain lymph from the upper body?
jugular trunk
subclavian trunk
bronchomediastinal trunk
where in the lymph node would you find plasma cells?
medullary cords
signs of lymphangitis?
red lines extending from an inflamed lesion
generalised lymphadenopathy suggests what?
systemic inflammatory process
widespread malignancy
right lymphatic duct drains what?
upper right quadrant of the body
right side of the head and neck, the right side of the thorax and the right upper limb
where does lymph drain into the venous system?
subclavian veins, via the right and left venous angles
what conditions will primarily cause a B cell response?
autoimmune conditions
infections
what conditions will primarily cause a T cell response?
drugs
VIRAL infections
phagocytes reside where in the lymph node?
internal sinuses
what site of the lymph node tends to become inflamed if a tumour drains there?
phagocytic region eg the internal sinuses
lymph is a/an __udate
trans
location of the spleen
LUQ (v high)
blood supply to spleen?
splenic artery and vein
splenic vein drains to…
joins with SMV to form portal vein
describe the composition of the parenchyma of the spleen
red pulp
white pulp
what is contained within the red pulp of the spleen?
sinusoids
cords
what lines sinusoids?
endothelial cells
what do the cords of the red pulp contain?
macrophages
fibroblasts
cells in transit eg RBCs/WBCs
function of the white pulp of the spleen?
contains lymphoid tissue of the spleen
immune response
how is an immune response generated by the white pulp?
antigen reaches white pulp via blood
APCs detect and present this to immune cells
response activated
main composition of the white pulp of the spleen?
periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS)
clinical features of splenomegaly
dragging sensation in LUQ
pain while eating
give the triad of features of hypersplenism
- splenomegaly
- fall in one or more cellular blood contents
- correction of cytopenias
haematological causes of splenomegaly
lymphoma/leukaemia
haemolytic anaemia
ITP
myeloproliferative disease
autoimmune causes of splenomegaly
ITP
RA
SLE
causes of hyposplenism
splenectomy
coeliac disease
sickle cell
sarcoidosis
features of reduced red cell pulp function on blood film?
howell jolly bodies
red cell abnormalities
