lymphatic system Flashcards
what are the functions of the lymphatic system?
- remove excess fluid that escapes from the blood capillaries and return it to the circulatory system
- fight disease-causing organisms
what is the structure of the lymphatic system?
- network of lymph capillaries joined to larger lymph vessels
- lymph nodes, located along the length of some lymph vessels
what are lymph vessels?
- large vessels that collect lymph from capillaries
- joined up and return lymph to blood
what is the difference between lymph vessels and blood vessels?
lymph vessels
- drains the interstitial fluid that collects in tissues and serves as a conduit for immune cell trafficking fat absorption
blood vessels
- deliver oxygen and nutrients to all cells in developing mammalian embryos and adults
what are the lymph nodes?
colourless fluid that circulates through lymph vessels to be returned to blood
what is lymph?
colorless fluid that circulates through lymph vessels to be returned to blood
what are lymph capillaries?
vessels that carry lymph
what are tonsils?
- multipple large lymphatic nodules
- located in mucous membrane of the oral and pharyngeal cavities
what is the spleen?
- filters and stores blood
- capsule present
- no afferent vessels or sinuses
- between stomach and diaphragm
- largest lymphatic organ
what is diffuse lymph tissue?
- no capsule
- found in connective tissue of almost all organs
what are lymphatic nodules?
- no capsule
- oval shaped
- found in clusters
what are lymphatic nodules?
- no capsule
- oval shaped
- found in clusters
what are lymphatic organs?
- capsule present
- lymph nodes
- spleen
- thymus gland
