lymph system Flashcards
what does the lymph system consist of
- vessels, nodes, ducts and tonsils
- also the thymus and the spleen
what do the lymphatic vessels do
- they are a system of channels that parallel the venous blood vessels yet are more numerous
what is lymph
- tissue drainage from the surrounding region into the lymphatic vessels
what are lymph nodes and where are they located
- bean shaped bodies grouped in clusters along the connecting lymphatic vessels that filter toxic products from the lymph to prevent their entry into the vascular system
- positioned beside lymphatic vessels. can be deep or superficial
what do lymph nodes contain (tonsils also contain these)
- lymphocytes (the white blood cells of the immune system that actively remove toxins)
- the nodes are also involved in the production of lymphocytes
can we feel/see lymph nodes in healthy patients
- no
how does lymph flow into the lymph nodes
- through afferent vessels (multiple)
how does lymph flow out of lymph nodes
- through efferent vessels (only one per node)
where are the efferent vessels found in lymph nodes
- in a depression called the hilus
what are primary and secondary lymph nodes
- lymph from a particular region first drains into a primary node (regional node or master node). primary nodes, in turn, drain into a secondary node (central node)
what are lymph ducts and where do we find them
- the final drainage point of lymphatic vessels. found in the outer tissue of the body, is where smaller lymphatic vessels containing lymph converge into larger lymphatic ducts
- two lymph ducts, both found in the thorax (chest)
what do we call the lymphatic duct on the right side of the body and what parts of the body does it drain
- called the right lymphatic duct, drains the right arm and right side of the chest
where do the lymphatic ducts on the right side of the body join to drain into the right lymphatic duct
- right side of the head and neck converges by way of the jugular trunk and joins the lymphatic system from right arm and thorax
what do we call the lymphatic duct on the left side of the body and what parts of the body does it drain
- called the thoracic duct, drains the left arm, left side of the chest and the entire lower body
what is lymphadenopathy
- the resultant increase in size and change in consistency of the lymphoid tissue from a patient having cancer or infection in the same region as the affected lymph node
what is lymphadenitis
- in some cases of infection the lymph node can undergo inflammation, which we call lymphadenitis
what is metastasis
- the spread of a cancer from the original or primary site of the neoplasm to another or secondary site (cancer spreading)
what could a painful palpation of a lymph node be a sign of
- a late finding when cancer begins to involve surrounding nerve tissue
what are lymphomas
- malignant neoplasms of component cells of lymphoid tissues
what are the five groups of paired superficial lymph nodes located in the head
1 - occipital 2 - posterior auricular 3 - anterior auricular 4 - superficial parotid 5 - facial
how many occipital lymph nodes are there, where are they located and where do they empty
- about 1-3 in number
- located on the posterior base of the head in the occipital region and drain this part of the scalp
- empty into the inferior deep cervical nodes
how can we examine occipital lymph nodes
- have the patient lean the head forward, allowing for effective bilateral palpation during extraoral examination at the base of each side of the head for these nodes
how many posterior auricular lymph nodes are there and where are they located
- about 1-3 in number
- located posterior to each auricle and external acoustic meatus, where the sternocleidomastoid muscle inserts on the mastoid process
how many anterior auricular lymph nodes are there and where are they located
- about 1-3 in number
- located immediately anterior to each tragus
how many parotid lymph nodes are there and where are they located
- about 10 in number along with the deep parotid group
- located just superficial to each parotid salivary gland
what do the posterior auricular, anterior auricular and superficial parotid lymph nodes all work together to drain
- the external ear, lacrimal gland and adjacent regions of the scalp and face
- all of these nodes eventually empty into the deep cervical node
how do we palpate the posterior auricular, anterior auricular and superficial parotid lymph nodes
- bilaterally palpate these nodes, as well as the face and scalp anterior to and around each auricle
how many facial lymph nodes are there and where are they located
- up to 12 in number and are superficial nodes located along the facial vein with its diagonal course across the side of the face