H&N 3.2 lymphatic system

Question 1

what are the 3 main broad components of the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

• lymph nodes
• lymph vessels
• lymph fluid

Question 2

give examples of tissues that dont have lymphatic drainage?

Answer 2

lens and cornea of eye, inner ear, cartilage

Question 3

how does tissue fluid form?

Answer 3

In teh arterioles, hydrostatic pressure exceeds oncotic, so you get tissue fluid formation.
In the venules, the oncotic pressure is greater than the hydrostatic pressure, so the tissue fluid gets reabsorbed, however not all of it returns.

Question 4

What substances are found in tissue fluid which enter lymphatic capillaries?

Answer 4

• tissue fluid
• dead cells
• small proteins
• bacteria
• malignant cells

Question 5

When does tissue fluid become lymph?

Answer 5

When it moves into lymphatic capillaries.

Question 6

How much lymph do we produce per day?

Answer 6

3-4 litres.

Question 7

What is the function of the lmyphatic system?

Answer 7

Continuous removal of remaining tissue fluid from extracellular space back into the blood.

Question 8

What’s the order of vessels of lymphatic flow?

Answer 8

tissue fluid
lmyphatic fluid 
afferent lymphatic vessel
lymph node
efferent lymphatic vessel
lymphatic trunk
lymph duct.

Question 9

What are some features of the quality of lymphatic flow?

Answer 9

• one directional
• low pressure
• no pump.

Question 10

where does lymph re-enter the blood circulation?

Answer 10

right side of the body above diaphragm- right lymphatic duct, into right subclavian vein.
Left side of the body and right side below diaphragm, thoracic duct into left subclavian vein

Question 11

What is lymphoedema?

Answer 11

Abnormally accumulation of protein rich tissue fluid causing swelling due to a compromised lymphatic system.

Question 12

What are some causes of lymphoedema

Answer 12

• some infections
• removal of some lymph nodes
• damage to system eg due to chemotherapy
• lack of movement (muscle contraction helps to move the lymphatic fluid)
• congenital

Question 13

What’s the structure of lymph nodes?

Answer 13

tough fibrous capsule surrounding reticular connective tissue

Question 14

What do lymph nodes contain?

Answer 14

Many lymphocytes and macrophages

Question 15

What’s the function of lymph nodes?

Answer 15

• involved in immune response
• physical barrier to proteins, cells etc
• site of activation and proliferation of lymphocytes.

Question 16

What is lymphadenopathy?

Answer 16

Swollen lymph node

Question 17

What are some causes of lymphadenopathy?

Answer 17

• infection

- malignancy

Question 18

What are the features of a swollen lymph node caused by infection?

Answer 18

• mobile

- tender

Question 19

What are the features of a swollen lymph node caused by malignancy?

Answer 19

• non-mobile

- non-tender.

Question 20

How can lymph nodes be broadly classified?

Answer 20

regional (drain specific areas-superficial)

terminal (drain many regional lymph nodes-deep)

Question 21

Where can you palpate lymph nodes?

Answer 21

Head and neck
axillae
groin

Question 22

How are the superficial and deep lymph nodes of the head and neck separated?

Answer 22

By the investing fascia.

Question 23

What are the superficial groups of lymph nodes in the head and neck?

Answer 23

• sub-mental
• sub-mandibular
• pre-auricular
• postauricular
• anterior cervical lymph nodes
• posterior cervical lymph nodes
• superficial cervial lymph nodes
• occipital

Question 24

What makes up waldeyer’s ring?

Answer 24

• pharyngeal tonsils
• pallatine tonsils
• lingual tongils

Question 25

What’s another word for pharyngela tonsils?

Answer 25

adenoids.

Question 26

What’s the most commonly enlarged deep cervical lymph node?

Answer 26

Jugulodiagastric

Question 27

What’s the importance of enlrarged lymph nodes in the supraclavicular area?

Answer 27

left- could suggest gastric/abdominal malignancy

right- could suggest lung malignancy