Lymphatic System

Question 1

What are the three functions of the Lymphatic System?

Answer 1

Fluid Recovery: Helps maintain normal blood volume.
Immunity: Defense against disease agents (Pathogens)
Lipid Absorption: Special lymphatic capillaries called Lacteals transport absorbed fat from the small intestine to the bloodstream.

Question 2

Identify the components of the Lymphatic System.

Answer 2

Lymph: The fluid going through the lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic Capillaries: Blind-ended tubes in which adjacent endothelial cells overlap each other, forming flaplike minivalves.
Lymphatic Vessels: Networks of drainage vessels that collect the excess protein-containing interstitial fluid and return it to the bloodstream.
Two Collecting Ducts: Right Lymphatic Duct and Thoracic Duct; The right lymphatic duct drains lymph from the right upper limb and the right side of the head and thorax. The thoracic duct drains from the entire rest of the body.

Question 3

List and identify the six lymphatic cells.

Answer 3

Lymphocytes!

1. ) T Lymphocytes: Move to the Thymus to mature. Activated T lymphocytes manage the immune response and some of them directly attack and destroy infected cells.
2. ) B Lymphocytes: Mature in the bone marrow. Becomes plasma cells with secrete antibodies into the blood.
3. ) Nature Killer Cells: Attack and Destroy bacteria, transplanted tissue/cells, and cancerous cells.
4. ) Macrophages: Form from Monocytes; they play a major role in phagocytosis.
5. ) Dendritic Cells: The perform phagocytosis and capture infected cells and carry them to lymph organs. They act as Antigen Presenting Cells.
6. ) Reticular Cells: Fibroblast-like cells that produce the reticular fiber stroma which is the network that supports the other cell types.

Question 4

Describe the Lymph Organs.

Answer 4

Lymph Nodes: Helps clean the lymph through filtration and helps defend against infection through immune system activation.
Tonsils: Gather and remove pathogens that enter through the mouth via inhaled air or food.
Thymus: Primarily active during the early years of life.
Spleen: Plays a major role in helping to clean the blood.

Question 5

Identify areas where the lymph nodes are located.

Answer 5

Large clusters of lymph nodes occur near the body surfaces in the inguinal, axillary, and cervical regions where the collecting lymphatic vessels converge to form trunks.