Learning Outcome 4 Lymphatic System Flashcards
What is lymph?
Lymph is the term used to describe interstitial fluid once it has entered the lymphatic system.
What is transported within lymph?
the network of lymphatic vessels became convenient avenues for transporting the cells of the immune system. Additionally, the transport of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins absorbed in the gut uses this system.
How is lymph similar to plasma and how is it different from plasma?
Plasma & lymph both contain:
* Water
* Small plasma proteins (Eg. Albumin)
* Dissolved substances
Only plasma contains:
* Erythrocytes
* Large plasma proteins
What purpose do lymph nodes serve?
- Found along the lymphatic pathway
- Specialized organs which filter lymph
Provide some examples of clusters of lymph nodes in the body and what areas they drain.
- Cervical Lymph Nodes (Neck) - Drains the head, scalp, face, and neck.
- Inguinal Lymph Nodes (Groin) - Drains the lower limbs, genital region, and lower abdominal wall.
Lymphatic vessels are blind ended. What does this mean and how is it different from blood capillaries?
Lymphatic vessels are blind-ended, meaning they are closed at one end rather than forming a continuous loop like blood vessels. This structure allows them to absorb excess fluid, proteins, and waste products from surrounding tissues but prevents fluid from leaking back out
Where does lymph flow to?
Afferent lymphatic vessels – outer cortex of
node – deep cortex – medulla – efferent
lymphatic vessel
Pathway of Lymph Flow:
Lymphatic Capillaries → Absorb excess interstitial fluid from tissues.
Larger Lymphatic Vessels → Transport lymph toward major lymph nodes.
Lymph Nodes → Filter pathogens, debris, and abnormal cells from lymph.
Lymphatic Trunks → Collect lymph from different regions of the body.
Lymphatic Ducts (Final Collection Points):
Right Lymphatic Duct → Drains the right side of the head, chest, and right arm into the right subclavian vein.
Thoracic Duct → Drains the rest of the body into the left subclavian vein.
Bloodstream → Lymph re-enters circulation and helps maintain fluid balance.
What three tissues are not involved in a lymphatic pathway?
NOT in cornea, bone marrow, CNS)
Where does the lymph come from that enters lymphatic capillaries?
Lymph originates from interstitial fluid, which is leftover plasma that has leaked out of blood capillaries.
What purpose do the flaps of overlapping cells serve in lymphatic capillaries?
The flaps of overlapping cells in lymphatic capillaries serve as one-way valves that allow interstitial fluid to enter but not leave.
How are lymphatic trunks formed?
- Superficial & deep lymphatic vessels merge to form trunks
- Drain lymph from large body regions
What parts of the body drain into the right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct?
Collecting ducts:
* Lymphatic trunks merge to form one of the 2 collecting ducts:
Right lymphatic duct:
* Drains into the right subclavian vein
* Empties lymph from the right side of the body above the diaphragm
- Drains 1/4 of the body
Thoracic duct:
* Drains into the left subclavian vein
* Empties lymph from the body below the diaphragm & from the left side of the body above the diaphragm
-Drains 3/4 of the body
What blood vessel receives the lymph from the lymphatic ducts?
The subclavian veins receive the lymph from the lymphatic ducts and return it to the bloodstream.
What is the cisterna chyli?
Cisterna Chyli - a sac-like chamber that receives lymph from the lower abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs by way of the left and right lumbar trunks and the intestinal trunk.
What is an example of a barrier defense?
Skin/Mucous Membranes, act instantaneously to prevent pathogenic invasion into the body tissues
What is the difference between a phagocytic cell and a lymphocyte?
Phagocytic Cells - Ingest Pathogens to destroy them (Innate Immunity)
Lymphocytes - Specialized cells that recognize, remember, and attack specific antigens (adaptive immunity)
Describe how undifferentiated lymphocytes become immunocompetent.
Both B cells and T cells become immunocompetent through a series of selection processes that ensure they can recognize foreign antigens and not react to self-antigens. This immunocompetence allows them to effectively participate in the adaptive immune response.
Both B and T cells develop in the bone marrow but they mature in different locations.
B cells mature in red bone marrow
T cells mature in the thymus
B cells produce __________
antibodies
What is an antigen?
Antigen (A chemical structure on the surface of a pathogen that binds to T or B lymphocyte antigen receptors)
What do T cells secrete?
secrete soluble factors that communicate with other cells of the adaptive immune response or destroy cells infected with intracellular pathogens
A plasma cell is a differentiated _____ cell.
B
Natural Killer (NK) cells participate in what part of the immune response?
Immune surveillance, destroys virally infected cells
- Part of innate immunity
What are the two primary lymphoid organs?
Bone marrow and thymus gland
