Lymphatic System Flashcards
Where are lymph nodes found?
Mostly in fat
what are the functions of the lymphatic system?
- Tissue drainage
- Return of plasma and plasma proteins
- Absorbed fat content from gut
- Immuinity
How much lymph is drained / day?
8L/Day
What makes up the majority of lympth?
Plasma and plasma protein
What do lymph nodes do?
Play a vital role in your body’s ability to fight off infections.
They function as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of your body.
Describe the composition of the lymphatic system.
Lymph is fluid and plasma proteins only, but gains lymphocytes as it flows through Lymphatic capillaries and channels.
Fats added in small intestine.
Why does the flow of fluid into the extraceelular space increase during infection?
Due to protein accumulation (osmosis), this drives increased lymph flow and therefore immune response in nodes, as more antigens are presented and phagocytosis occurs.
describe the flow of the lymphatic system.
Flow is similar to that in veins, relying upon muscle contraction, pressure changes and gravity.
Discuss lymph nodes (ik im sorry idk what to ask)
Lymph nodes can be isolated or grouped. Groups occur at the bases of major arterial trunks.
About half of the 8L/Day of lymph produced is re-absorbed in lymph nodes.
What does a lymph node consist of?
Mass of lymphatic tissue which is surrounded by a fibrous capsule.
Ecah lymph node is connected to an incoming and outcoming lymph vessel.
How many lymph nodes in a young adult?
450
How many of the lymph nodes that a young adult has are associated with mesenteries?
250
Give an example of a superficial lymph node.
Inguinal lympth nodes
->located in adn around the femoral triangle at the base of the lower limb.
Name a primary tumour of lymph nodes
Hodgkin;s lymphomas
What are secondary tumours of lympth nodes a result of?
Metastasis of other sites
All lymph nodes congregates into how many lymph ducts?
2
What do lympth ducts empty into?
The venous system at the jugular/subclavion junction.
Deep lymphatic drainage follows the routes of what
Arterial supply.
Describe drainage from limbs, head, neck and trunk.
Symmetrical
Describe the fat transport from the gut.
Lymph returning from the small intestine is laden with absorbed fats, which will also drain to the SVC and eventually to the liver for absorption.
List the areas where lymphocytes are generated and mature.
Thymus and Bone marrow (1o)
Spleen (2o)
Lymph nodes (2o)
Peyer’s patches (2o)
Tonsils
o=degree sig
Wha is the largest lymphatic organ?
Spleen
What does the spleen contain?
Large amount of bood which is routinely discharged via smooth muscle action.
Where is there no lymph drainage?
No lymph drainage from epithelium, cartilage, bone or central nervous system, or from the majority of the spleen and liver.
Where does the thoracic duct arise from?
Cisterna chyli
Which vertebral level does the thoracic duct arise from?
L1
Where does the right lymphatic duct drain from?
The right upper limb
Where does the thoracic duct drain lymph from?
Left lower quadrant of the body
What type of tissue is a lymph node composed of?
Secondary lymphoid tissue
Where do the lower limbs, pelvis and abdomen and left side of thorax, left side of head and neck, left upper limb all drain from?
Drains via the thoracic duct.
What does the union of the jugular vein and subclavian vein form?
Brachiocephalic vein.
Where does the lymph in the right upper limbs, side of thorax etc drain to?
Right lymphatic duct
Why is the lymphatic system unidirectional?
Because of valves
Name two cells found in the lymphatic system.
Lymphocytes
Macrophages
What does lymph do?
Carries lymph from spaces between cells to the venous system
What is the largest lymph vessel?
Thoracic duct
Where do lymphocytes produced in the bone marrow mature?
In bone marrow or the thymus gland
At which vertebral level does the thoracic duct commence at?
L1
