Lymphatic system

Question 1

Identify the components and structure of the lymphatic system.

Answer 1

• Lymph
• Lymph vessels
• Lymph nodes
• Lymph organs such as the spleen and thymus
• Includes lymphoid tissue such as tonsils
• Includes bone marrow
• Is apart of the circulatory system

Question 2

Identify the three functions of the lymphatic system.

Answer 2

1. Drain
   - Drain excess interstitial fluid from tissue spaces and return it to the venous blood supply, playing an important role in maintaining fluid balance.
2. Transport
   - Transport lipids and lipid soluble vitamins from the villi in the small intestine to the blood.
3. Immune
   As part of the immune system destroys microbes and cancerous or foreign cells.

Question 3

Formation of lymph

Answer 3

• Plasma in blood (higher hydrostatic pressure)
• Interstitial fluid (medium hydrostatic pressure)
• Lymphatic capillary (lowest hydrostatic pressure)

Question 4

Lymph Transport

Answer 4

• Lymphatic capillaries merge to form larger and larger lymphatic vessels
• Lymph flows through the capillaries into the vessels towards the subclavian veins.
• It passes through lymph nodes as it flows
  -Lymph nodes are positioned at intervals along the lymph vessels.

Question 5

Flow

Answer 5

Blood capillaries (arterial blood)

-
Interstitial spaces (interstitial fluid)

-
Lymphatic capillaries (lymph)

• Lymphatic ducts (lymph)

-
Blood vessel (venous blood)
ENDS
Most lymph flowing the body us the result of contracting skeletal muscles.
Valves in lymphatic vessels assist lymph flow by preventing backflow.

Question 6

Pathway of Lymph

Answer 6

• The lymphatic vessels eventually lead to lymphatic ducts
• The lymphatic ducts empty the lymph into the subclavian veins
  -The lymph now becomes part of the plasma again

Lymphatic capillaries
Lymphatic vessels
Lymph nodes
Right lymphatic and thoracic duct
Subclavian veins

Question 7

Factors affecting lymph flow

Answer 7

• Rate of lymph formation
• Contraction of skeletal muscles which compress lymph in vessels pushing it upwards
• Lymph vessels have valves like veins do, and these prevent the backflow of lymph
• Rhythmic contraction of lymph vessels
• Respiratory pump. Movement of the diaphragm during inhalation. Moves lymph upwards inside the lymph vessels
  -Gravity (depending on the position of the tissue being drained)

Question 8

OEDEMA

Answer 8

The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid intercellular tissue spaces of the body.

Question 9

Describe nursing interventions to decrease oedema in a limb, linking to anatomy and physiology.

Answer 9

Gravity facilitates drainage of excess interstitial fluid through the lymphatic system allowing fluid to re-join the venous circulation. This helps reduce oedema in the limb.

Question 10

3 locations oedema is likely to occur

Answer 10

1. Lungs
2. Brain
3. Gravity dependent areas, such as limbs and lower back