Lymphatic System Flashcards
Function of lymphatic system
To drain tissue fluid into the bloodstream, transport fatty products of digestion from the gut, and act as a defence mechanism
What are components of the lymphatic system
Lymph, lymph vessels, organs e.g. lymph-node‘s, tonsils, spleen, thymus gland and lymphatic tissue and bone marrow
What are lymph features
Resembles plasma, coagulable, contains white blood cells and products of digestion
Where is lymph filtered
In the lymph nodes and it flows in one way
What happens to the lymph fluid
Tissue fluid enters the lymphatic system
Features of lymph vessels/ lymphatic capillaries
Microscopic close ended vessels,  they have a larger diameter than blood capillaries, they form a single layer of endothelial cells
Where are lymph vessels located
Next to blood capillaries in tissue space
Length vessels permeable so collect
Tissue fluid and proteins
Lymph vessels merge to form
Large lymph vessels
Lymph-nodes function
For filtration
Lymph node groups
Cervical (neck), axillary (armpits), inguinal (groin), mesenteric (abdomen)
Where are deep lymph-nodes located
Close the arteries and viscera (organs)
How are deep lymph-nodes named
Names come from neighbouring structures Eg. aortic, pulmonary nodes
Where are superficial lymph nodes located
In deep Fascia
How are superficial lymph nodes named
Regionally named along superficial veins
Superficial lymph-node drain to
Deep lymphatic vessels
Structure of the lymph-node
They have a stroma and a parenchyma
Stroma
Is covered by a capsule which extends partition is within a node, has reticular fibres framework
Parenchyma
As a cortex- the outer bit has B cells and macrophages, The inner has T cells
The medulla has B cells and macrophages
How was lymph transported
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
What does the right lymphatic duct do
Receives lymph from upper right quadrant
What does the left lymphatic duct do
It is the major collecting duct, it begins at cisterna chyli and drains lymph from lower body and upper left quadrant
What do both lymphatic ducts do
Empty into the junction site of left subclavian vein and left internal jugular vein
How does lymph flow
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
What are the lymphatic organs
Tonsils, thymus gland, spleen, isolated lymphatic nodules
Types of tonsils
Nasopharyngeal tonsils (adenoids- on wall of pharynx), palatine tonsils (back of mouth), lingual tonsils (base of tongue)
Thymus gland location and activity
Located in the upper part of thorax, it is large and very active in prenatal and infants however regresses in teens
Spleen functions
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
Isolated lymphatic nodules location
In the mucus membranes of gastrointestinal, appendix, reproductive and respiratory tracts
Isolated lymphatic nodules function
House B lymphocytes, which are activated by antigens and differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies
Why do disorders of the lymphatic system occur
Due to blockage, damage, removal of lymph nodes
Causes- surgery, injury, scarring, radiotherapy
Consequences of lymphatic disorders
There is an accumulation of fluid in tissues which causes an obstruction (lymphedema) 
What is lymphadenitis
Nodes become inflamed due to infection
What is a thymectomy
Removal of thymus gland
Means the patient is more susceptible to infection due to decrease in T cells
What is metastasis
It is where bacteria spreads from one part to another by the lymphatic system or circulatory system
Where does the lymph go (flow diagram)
Interstitial space, Lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic vessels (afferent), lymph-node, lymphatic vessels (efferent), lymphatic trunk, lymphatic duct, subclavian vein
Where does the right lymphatic duct empty
At the junction of the right internal jugular and right subclavian vein
Where does the thoracic duct empty
Into the junction of the left internal jugular and left subclavian veins
Cisterna chyli is the most
Inferior part of thoracic duct
