Lymph Nodes Flashcards
What drives movement of tissue fluid?
Breathing and muscle contraction
Functional importance of lymphatic system?
Assists capillaries in return if plasma proteins that leak into extracellular space
Transport of cellular debris that doesn’t use the circulatory system
Absorbs/transports fats from the digestive system
Fluid balance of the body
Regulation of cell volume
Clinical importance of the lymphatic system?
Conduit for spread of infections and malignancies
Plasma protein return - major constituent of immune system
Site for primary tumours
Blockage leads to lymphoedema
Properties of lymph?
Transudative fluid Transparent and yellowish Alkaline Water makes up 96% Has solute such as proteins, lipids, glucose, electrolytes, cells
How much lymph is produced a day?
3-4L of lymph produced a day at rest
Name the lymph organs
Bone marrow Spleen Thymus gland Lymph nodes Tonsils
What are the main cells in lymph nodes?
Phagocytes and macrophages
Describe the course of lymph fluid
Blind ended lymph channels (microscopic)
Become vessels
Large lymph vessels
Lymphatic trunks
Unite to form either right lymph duct or thoracic lymph duct
Ducts into the venous system at subclavian vein
Which lymphatic duct takes the most lymph?
Thoracic duct - 100ml
Right lymphatic duct only takes 20ml
Which parts of the body does the right lymphatic duct drain?
Right upper part including
- right head
- right neck
- right thorax
- right upper limb
Where does lymph from the right lymphatic duct enter the venous system at?
Right venous angle - at the union of the right internal jugular vein and right subclavian vein
Where is the lymphatic system absent?
CNS Eyeball Inner ear Cartilage Bone
What are the superficial and deep lymph nodes separated by in the head and neck?
Depp fascia of the neck
How are the lymph nodes of the head and neck arranged clinically?
Regional which drain specific anatomical regions
Terminal where the regional ones merge
Regional nodes -> terminal nodes -> trunks -> right/thoracic ducts
Where are the vertical lymph nodes found?
Vertical lane that closely follows course of the internal jugular vein
-difficult to palpate because they are deep in the tissues of the neck