Lymph Drainage Of The Head And Neck

Question 1

Why is the lymphatic system needed?

Answer 1

Most of the fluid put in the extracellular spaces is reabsorbed by the cappilleries, however net filtration is not equal to the net reabsoprtion and therefore some plasma proteins leak into the extracellular spaces, and the lymphoid system is designed to deal with this overflow

Question 2

What are some of the contents of lymph?

Answer 2

Tissue fluid PLUS small proteins, lipids, damaged cells, bacteria, cancer cells

Question 3

What are the different vessles that lymph fluid flows through?

Answer 3

Tissue fluid - lymphatic capillary- lymphatic vessels(afferent) - lymph nodes- lymphatic vessels (efferent)- lymphatic trunks- lymphatic ducts

Question 4

What helps to ensure unidirectional flow in the lymphatic system?

Answer 4

Valves- using passive constriction, as they run close to the pulsating aterys
Intrinsic constriction- have smooth muscle cells that constrict as the lymphatic vessels begin to fill

Question 5

Where is the right lymphatic duct and where does it drain?

Answer 5

The junction of the right internal jugular and the right subclavian veins, and drains the right upper quadrant of the body

Question 6

Where is the thoraic duct and where does it drain from?

Answer 6

Is found at the left venous angle, between the junction of the left internal jugular and the subclavian veins

Question 7

What is lymphoedema?

Answer 7

Abnormal collections of protien rich fluid, causing swelling due to a comprimised lymphatic system

Question 8

What can cause a lymphodema?

Answer 8

Removal or enlargement of the lymph nodes, infections, damage to the lymphatic system for example in cancer treatment, lack of limb movement and congential such as milroy syndrome

Question 9

What is the difference between odema from lymphodema and heart failure ?

Answer 9

In heart failure you get a pitting odema, however due to the high protein content in lymphodema you get non pitting odema

Question 10

What are some of the structural features of lymph nodes?

Answer 10

Connetive tissue structures, wiht a tough fibrous outer capulse and reticular connective tissue on the inside

Question 11

What do lymph nodes do?

Answer 11

Filter foreign particles from the blood and play an important role in the reponse to infection

Question 12

Why do lymph nodes become palapable in a infection?

Answer 12

As the immune response recurits more inflammatory cells to the lymph nodes

Question 13

What are the two reasons that there may be for enlarged lymph nodess?

Answer 13

Infection is more common creating tender and mobile lymph nodes
Maligancy- which create hard, matted and non mobile lymph nodes

Question 14

Where are some of the regions where lymph nodes may be palapble?

Answer 14

Neck- cervical, armpit- axillau, diaphram, spleen, abdominal, pelvic and groin

Question 15

What can you find the superifical lymph nodes in the neck?

Answer 15

Find in the superfifical cervical fascial

Question 16

Where can you find the deep lymph nodes?

Answer 16

Deep to the investing layer of cervical fascia

Question 17

What is waldeyers ring?

Answer 17

A annular collection of lymphatic tissue surrounding the superior pharynx

Question 18

What makes up waldeyers ring?

Answer 18

The lingual tonsils, the palating tonsiles, and the pharyngeal (adenoid) tonsil

Question 19

Where in the neck can deep cervical lymph nodes be found?

Answer 19

Organised into a vertical chain located in close proximity to the internal jugular vein within the cartoid sheath

Question 20

What are the supraclavicualr lymph nodes?

Answer 20

Oversee transport of lymph form the thoraic cavity and the abdomen, and the left node involves the abdomen and thorax and virchows node where as the right node is involve dwith the mid section chest, the oseophagus and lungs

Question 21

What is the most frequently enlarged deep lymph node?

Answer 21

The jugulo digrastic node