Lymphatic System Flashcards
Lymph/o
Axill/o
Lymph fluid
Armpit
Lymphaden/o
Lymphangi/o
Lymph node (gland)
Lymph vessel
Splen/o
Thym/o
Spleen
Thymus gland
Myel/o
Aden/o
Bone marrow/spinal cord
Gland
Structure of the lymphatic system
- Open circulatory system (has a start and end point rather than being continuous)
- Contains lymph fluid, lymph vessels, lymph glands, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, tonsils, adenoids, Peyer’s patches
Structure and function of lymph
- S = clear tissue fluid that has been collected by the lymphatic system
- F = transport fats and proteins, transport lymphocytes, transport of pathogens to L/N
Difference between lymph, tissue fluid and plasma
- Tissue fluid = leaked out of blood into surrounding tissues due to increased pressure
- Lymph = within lymph vessels
- Plasma = in blood
Function of plasma
- Transport nutrients and wastes around the body via the blood
- Absorb/give off heat e.g. evaporation (sweat) for thermoregulation)
Functions of tissue fluid
- To supply cells with a stable environment
- To provide tissues with nutrients e.g. O2
3 functions of the lymphatic system
- Collect excess tissue fluid from between cells and return it to CV system
- Facilitate immune response through producing and maturing lymphocytes for specific immunity, and filtering/destroying foreign particles
- Absorb fat from the digestive system and transport it to the CV system
Describe 4 features of lymph capillaries and how they allow them to achieve their function
- Thin walls > can easily collect excess tissue fluid from CV system
- Overlapping epithelial cells which creates gaps > allows tissue fluid to move into capillary and prevents backflow out of capillary
- Interlaced with venules, arterioles, CV capillaries > easy access to collect tissue fluid
- Closed at one end > creates open circulatory system
State the pathway of fluid through the lymphatic system
- Excess tissue fluid is collected from venules, capillaries and arterioles by lymph capillaries
- Lymph transported through afferent vessel to L/N where it is filtered, lymph exits L/N via efferent vessel
- Clean lymph returned to CV system via thoracic duct
Describe 2 features of lymph vessels and how they allow them to achieve their function
- Valves prevent backflow of lymph out of vessel
- Larger lumen than capillaries > allows them to transport lymph from capillaries to ducts
Function of the thoracic duct
Drains lymph from: the legs, abdominopelvic cavity, left arm and left halves of the thorax, head and neck
Function of the right lymphatic duct
Drains lymph from: the right arm and the right halves of the thorax, head and neck
State 4 ways in which lymph moves through the lymphatic system
- One-way valves in lymphatic vessels prevent backflow of lymph and promote unidirectional flow
- Skeletal muscle contractions and relaxations (milking action) push lymph through
- Changes in thoracic pressure during inspiration and expiration (respiratory system)
- Smooth muscle lining vessel walls contracts and relaxes to push lymph through > peristalsis