Lymphatic Drainage and Lymph Nodes Flashcards
What makes up the lymphatic system?
nodes
Lymph fluid
Lymphatic vessels
Organs = spleen, tonsils, thymus
Tissue = GALT, MALT
What does lymphatics link together?
Link between tissues and blood circulation
What parts of the body don’t have lymphatics?
Cornea, lens
Inner ear
Cartilage
Does the CNS have lymphatics?
Yes present in the dura
How does tissue fluid form?
Arteriole – capillary bed – venule
Arteriole = hydrostatic pressure > oncotic pressure = fluid to interstitial space
Venule = oncotic pressure > hydrostatic pressure = fluid to capillary
Due to small proteins moving to the interstitial space: arteriole net filtration > venule net filtration
If the small proteins don’t leave the interstitial space what would occur?
Oedema
Therefore lymphatic capillary takes fluid contain proteins away
What carries interstitial fluid away?
Lymphatic capillary
Fluid now termed lymph
What is carried in lymph?
Small proteins
Damaged cells
Bacteria
Cancer cells
Chylomicrons (gut)
How much lymph does the body produce a day?
3-4L
Outline the order of the vessels from the interstitial space to the blood circulation?
Capillaries – vessels – nodes – trunks – ducts – venous system
Outlines the characteristics of lymphatic flow?
One directional
Low pressure
No central pump
Valves
Passive constriction: run close to muscle/pulsations of vessels that squashes lymphatics = pushing fluid
Where does the lymph drain into?
R duct = junction between R jugular vein + R subclavian vein
L thoracic duct = junction between L internal jugular vein + L subclavian vein
Most of the lymphatic join where?
L thoracic duct
What is lymphoedema?
Abnormal amounts of protein-rich fluid causing swelling due to compromised lymphatic system
Causes = removal of nodes, infect, cancer treatments, no movement
Why do we have lymph nodes?
Contain highly organised centres of T/B cells, macrophages
Immune surveillance and defence
What is lymphadenopathy?
Enlarged lymph nodes
Why = infection (tender, mobile) OR malignancy (hard, non-tender)
Lymph nodes can be classified into what 2 groups?
Regional = drain specific areas, very superficial
Terminal = receives drainage from number of regional nodes, deeper
Where are the lymph nodes of the neck found?
Superficial = sit in superficial cervical fascia
Deep = deep to the investing layer of deep cervical fascia, most are close to IJV
What are the superficial lymph nodes of the head and neck?
Submental (below chin) = drain chin
Submandibular (below mandible) = drain face
Pre-Auricular (in front of ear) = drain side of scalp and eye
Post-Auricular = drain side of scalp
Occipital = drain back of scalp
Neck = superficial, posterior, anterior
What are the deep lymph nodes of the head and neck?
Jugulo-digastric
Jugulo-omohyoid
Supraclavicular
Where does the lymphatics from the tonsils drain to?
Retropharyngeal nodes
What is waldeyers ring?
Annular collection of lymphatic tissue (nodules surrounding the entrance to aerodigestic tract
Pharyngeal tonsil, tubal tonsils, palatine tonsils, lingual tonsils
What is the function of waldeyers ring?
Acts as a first line of defence against microbes that enters the body via the nasal and oral routes
Each tonsil consists of a network of crypts (pits) that store cells used to fight infection
