Lymphatic Chapter Flashcards
Lymphatic Vessels
Prevent edema (tissue swelling) by
draining interstitial fluid back into
venous circulation
Lymphoid organs & tissues
Filter lymphatic fluid
Carry out immune responses
Lymph Formation
Plasma fluid leaks out of
permeable capillary beds and
becomes interstitial fluid
* Osmotic pressure pushes leaked
fluids into lymphatic system
capillaries
* Interstitial fluid changes name to
“lymph”
* Lymph requires external pumps
to be transported
Lymph Filtration & Circulation
Lymph is filtered by lymph nodes located
throughout the body
* Routed in a single direction, returning to
venous circulation
Capillary> Vessel> Lymph Node> Lymphatic Vessel> Lymphatic Trunk> Collecting Duct> Subclavian Vein
Bone Marrow
Location: Within spongy
bone
* Functions: Hematopoiesis, site for B-
cell maturation
Thymus
Location: Soft, bi-lobed
organ in the superior
mediastinum
* Function: Site for T-cell
maturation
Lymph Nodes
- Location:
Along lymphatic vessels, clustered in the
submandibular, cervical, axillary, and
inguinal regions - Functions:
Filter lymph, site for initiating immune
responses
Lymph node medulla:
Contain sinuses lined with macrophages
Lymph node cortex
Contain lymphoid follicles with
germinal centers (site for B-cell
proliferation)
Spleen
Location: LUQ of abdomen, partially
wraps around stomach
Functions: Filters blood, site for initiating
immune responses
Tonsils
Location: Lymphoid tissues that form a
ring around the pharynx
Function: Protects against inhaled and
ingested pathogens
Lymphoid nodules:
Lymphoid follicles with germinal centers scattered throughout the body & appendix wall
MALT:
Mucosa Associated Lymphoid
Tissue within the GI tract,
respiratory tract, and
genitourinary tract walls
Lymphangitis
Lymphatic vessel infection
Edema/ Lymphedema
Tissue swelling.
May be mild and temporary or
chronic and severe.
