Lymphatic System Flashcards
T/F Lymphatics are especially abundant in the brain, where they function to prevent cerebral edema
False; there are no lymphatics in the central nervous system; excess fluid becomes part of the CSF, and is
returned to the blood with CSF in the dural sinuses
T/F In general, it is far easier for a bacterial cell to enter a blood capillary than an initial lymphatic
False; backwards. The lymphatic system picks up small particles like bacteria, and examines the
resulting lymph for the presence of foreign matter like pathogens
T/F The gaps or clefts between the endothelial cells of initial lymphatics are generally larger, and open more easily, than the corresponding pores in blood capillaries
True; this explains why it is easier for bacterial cells to enter initial lymphatics than blood capillaries
T/F Like veins, lymphatic vessels contain valves to help ensure one-way flow back to the heart
True
T/F Most lymph nodes have more efferent lymphatics draining the node than afferent lymphatics filling it; this facilitates the quick and easy drainage of lymph from the node
Backwards; there are more afferent vessels than efferent, so lymph languishes in the nodes
T/F The spleen is loosely divided into cortical and medullary regions
False; no cortex and medulla in the spleen, only regions of red and white pulp
T/F Lymph nodes enlarged by cancer tend to be firm and nontender, while those inflamed by infection tend to be quite tender/painful
True; which explains the “common knowledge” that a painful swollen lymph node is a good sign
T/F The spleen is encapsulated by dense irregular connective tissue
True; swollen spleens (splenomegaly) can stretch this capsule and cause splenalgia
T/F Lymph nodes monitor lymph for antigens, while the spleen monitors blood for antigens
True
In the spleen, [red/ white] pulp is associated with the central artery and is involved primarily in immune activity
white; red pulp is red because it is heavy with RBCs—it is the area involved in the blood functions
of the spleen; white pulp is concerned mainly with the immune functions
________________________, which begin blindly in the tissues of the capillary beds, are the smallest lymphatic vessels
Initial lymphatics
________________________ is defined simply as fluid that has entered the lymphatic vessels
Lymph
The ________________________ drains lymph from the right arm, right side of the head, and the right upper thorax, and returns it to the bloodstream
right lymphatic duct; you should be aware of the other duct as well, the thoracic duct
The ________________________ drains lymph from the entire left side of the body as well as the right leg and lower abdomen
thoracic duct
________________________ are highly specialized lymphatic capillaries present in the fingerlike villi of the intestinal mucosa; they play a role in the absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins
Lacteals
A ________________________ is a painful, swollen, infected lymph node
bubo; note the plural is “buboes.” And yes, buboes are a prominent symptom of bubonic plague
________________________ refers to the large number of lymphatic follicles located in the mucosa of the GI, respiratory, genital, and urinary tracts
MALT; there is also a similar system in the skin, known unsurprisingly as “SALT”
________________________ refer to water insoluble molecules, and include fats, fatty acids, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins
Lipids
________________________ refers to swelling of body tissues due to leakage of fluid from blocked lymphatic vessels back into the interstitial spaces (back into body tissue)
Lymphedema
Which ONE of the following is NOT part of the lymphatic system?
A. Liver
B. Spleen
C. Tonsils
D. Thymus
E. Peyer’s patches
F. (None. All of the above are part of the lymphatic system)
A. Liver
Where does the lymphatic system return excess fluid to the cardiovascular system?
A. At the junction of the brachiocephalic and internal jugular veins
B. In the spleen
C. In the liver
D. Directly into the inferior vena cava via the azygos vein
E. Into the aorta
F. Via the coronary sinus in the right atrium
A; specifically, this is the location of the right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct
Which ONE of the following is NOT a function of the lymphatic system?
A. The lymphatic system returns excess interstitial fluid to the cardiovascular system
B. The lymphatic system provides a route for the absorption of fat soluble nutrients in the intestines
C. The lymphatic system returns cerebrospinal fluid to the venous blood
D. The lymphatic system works with the immune system to provide defense against would-be pathogens
E. (None. All of the above are functions of the lymphatic system)
C; not only is the brain not involved in CSF return, but the lymphatic system does not even venture
into the central nervous system!
Where does chyle enter the bloodstream? A. In the liver B. In the intestinal wall C. In the spleen D. In the lymph nodes E. In the thymus F. (None of the above)
F. Chyle enters the bloodstream as the thoracic duct drains into the crotch of the left internal jugular and
subclavian veins
Which ONE of the following is NOT TRUE regarding lymphoid follicles?
A. Lymphoid follicles are encapsulated with dense irregular connective tissue
B. During an immune response, lymphoid follicles may become “antibody factories”
C. Lymphoid follicles often have lighter-staining centers known as germinal centers
D. Lymphoid follicles are heavy with T-cells and B-cells
E. Lymphoid follicles in the intestinal mucosa are known as Peyer’s patches
F. (None. All of the above are true regarding lymphoid follicles)
A; the spleen and lymph nodes are encapsulated, but not lymphoid follicles; lymphoid follicles are
not organs and they do not have a capsule; rather they are found within the tissue of other organs
