Lymphatic System Flashcards
Diagram
See notes
Organs linked to lymphatic system
Tonsils
Thymus (behind breast bone)
Spleen
Consists of one way system of dead ending vessels
Function of lymphatic system
Secondary transport system
Collects and returns excess tissue fluid to blood system.
Matures WBC
Structure of lymphatic system
Lymph vessels
Lymph nodes
Lymph
What is tissue fluid and how formed
Blood in arteries under high pressure. Pressure causes some of fluid in blood to be forced out of artery and into surrounding tissues and surrounds cells of the body.
ECF
Extra cellular fluid
What forces the fluid out?
Capillary blood pressure
ECF contains
Similar to plasma- except doesn’t contain RBC or platelets
Contains some WBC, proteins and fats
Why ECF has to be returned
Otherwise tissues would swell.
Condition- Odeoma
ECF is continually collected so must be continually removed by lymphatic system
How is ECF returned
Dead ending tubes called lymph vessels collect and return ECzf back to the blood.
Returns into the subclavian veins (near collarbone) which joins to vena cava
Some fluid returns directly to veins at the cell as there is low blood pressure
What is lymph
ECF that’s been collected and is now in lymph vessel.
Only location changes.
Contains WBC, proteins, fats
Lymph vessels Found Contain Function Movement
Found: all over body
Contain: lymph
Function: returns ECF to blood.
Movement: muscular walls of vessel contracting, general bodily movement, valves present to ensure fluid flows up toward shoulder area
Lymph nodes
What
Where
Contains
What: small swellings on lymph vesse. Channel through which lymph flows.
Where: tonsils, neck, armpits
Contains: large amounts of WBC
Lymph nodes function
Fight infections by
Filtering microorganisms in the lymph as it flows through.
Matures and stores WBC called lymphocytes (produce antibodies)
When lymph nodes active they swell
