Lymphatic System

Question 1

Function of lymphatic system

Answer 1

To drain tissue fluid into the bloodstream, transport fatty products of digestion from the gut, and act as a defence mechanism

Question 2

What are components of the lymphatic system

Answer 2

Lymph, lymph vessels, organs e.g. lymph-node‘s, tonsils, spleen, thymus gland and lymphatic tissue and bone marrow

Question 3

What are lymph features

Answer 3

Resembles plasma, coagulable, contains white blood cells and products of digestion

Question 4

Where is lymph filtered

Answer 4

In the lymph nodes and it flows in one way

Question 5

What happens to the lymph fluid

Answer 5

Tissue fluid enters the lymphatic system

Question 6

Features of lymph vessels/ lymphatic capillaries

Answer 6

Microscopic close ended vessels,  they have a larger diameter than blood capillaries, they form a single layer of endothelial cells

Question 7

Where are lymph vessels located

Answer 7

Next to blood capillaries in tissue space

Question 8

Length vessels permeable so collect

Answer 8

Tissue fluid and proteins

Question 9

Lymph vessels merge to form

Answer 9

Large lymph vessels

Question 10

Lymph-nodes function

Answer 10

For filtration

Question 11

Lymph node groups

Answer 11

Cervical (neck), axillary (armpits), inguinal (groin), mesenteric (abdomen)

Question 12

Where are deep lymph-nodes located

Answer 12

Close the arteries and viscera (organs)

Question 13

How are deep lymph-nodes named

Answer 13

Names come from neighbouring structures Eg. aortic, pulmonary nodes

Question 14

Where are superficial lymph nodes located

Answer 14

In deep Fascia

Question 15

How are superficial lymph nodes named

Answer 15

Regionally named along superficial veins

Question 16

Superficial lymph-node drain to

Answer 16

Deep lymphatic vessels

Question 17

Structure of the lymph-node

Answer 17

They have a stroma and a parenchyma

Question 18

Stroma

Answer 18

Is covered by a capsule which extends partition is within a node, has reticular fibres framework

Question 19

Parenchyma

Answer 19

As a cortex- the outer bit has B cells and macrophages, The inner has T cells
The medulla has B cells and macrophages

Question 20

How was lymph transported

Answer 20

Lymph is collected from tissues by lymphatic capillaries it then flows through a lymph-node. It exits the node through efferent lymphatic vessels and returns to the blood

Question 21

What does the right lymphatic duct do

Answer 21

Receives lymph from upper right quadrant

Question 22

What does the left lymphatic duct do

Answer 22

It is the major collecting duct, it begins at cisterna chyli and drains lymph from lower body and upper left quadrant

Question 23

What do both lymphatic ducts do

Answer 23

Empty into the junction site of left subclavian vein and left internal jugular vein

Question 24

How does lymph flow

Answer 24

There is no specific pump for lymph circulation, construction and dilation of neighbouring blood vessels causes it to move, as well as skeletal muscle contractions and respiratory activity

Question 25

What are the lymphatic organs

Answer 25

Tonsils, thymus gland, spleen, isolated lymphatic nodules

Question 26

Types of tonsils

Answer 26

Nasopharyngeal tonsils (adenoids- on wall of pharynx), palatine tonsils (back of mouth), lingual tonsils (base of tongue)

Question 27

Thymus gland location and activity

Answer 27

Located in the upper part of thorax, it is large and very active in prenatal and infants however regresses in teens

Question 28

Spleen functions

Answer 28

Immunity and filters blood, phagocytosis of bacteria and worn out red blood cells, B lymphocytes proliferation into plasma cells, stores and releases blood in times of demand

Question 29

Isolated lymphatic nodules location

Answer 29

In the mucus membranes of gastrointestinal, appendix, reproductive and respiratory tracts

Question 30

Isolated lymphatic nodules function

Answer 30

House B lymphocytes, which are activated by antigens and differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies

Question 31

Why do disorders of the lymphatic system occur

Answer 31

Due to blockage, damage, removal of lymph nodes

Causes- surgery, injury, scarring, radiotherapy

Question 32

Consequences of lymphatic disorders

Answer 32

There is an accumulation of fluid in tissues which causes an obstruction (lymphedema) 

Question 33

What is lymphadenitis

Answer 33

Nodes become inflamed due to infection

Question 34

What is a thymectomy

Answer 34

Removal of thymus gland

Means the patient is more susceptible to infection due to decrease in T cells

Question 35

What is metastasis

Answer 35

It is where bacteria spreads from one part to another by the lymphatic system or circulatory system

Question 36

Where does the lymph go (flow diagram)

Answer 36

Interstitial space, Lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic vessels (afferent), lymph-node, lymphatic vessels (efferent), lymphatic trunk, lymphatic duct, subclavian vein

Question 37

Where does the right lymphatic duct empty

Answer 37

At the junction of the right internal jugular and right subclavian vein

Question 38

Where does the thoracic duct empty

Answer 38

Into the junction of the left internal jugular and left subclavian veins

Question 39

Cisterna chyli is the most

Answer 39

Inferior part of thoracic duct