Lymphatic System Flashcards
What are the main functions of lymph vessels? (2)
- Collection of tissue fluid and its return to the systemic circulation.
- Transport of lymphocytes and other cells.
What is tissue fluid comprised of? (3)
- Water
- Proteins
- Lipids
Where do the lipids extruded from blood capillaries go?
Into connective tissue matrix.
Approximately what percentage of tissue fluid is returned to the main systemic circulation via lymph vessels? What percentage is removed via blood capillaries and perspiration?
20%
80%
Under what conditions does lymphoedema result?
When fluid/protein return is compromised.
What is lymphoedema associated with? (2)
- Long-term inflammation
2. Connective tissue and immune changes
What is believed to be the primary cause of lymphoedema?
Protein retention in connective tissue, especially high molecular weight proteins, which are not readily absorbed by blood capillaries.
What part of the body is lymphoedema usually associated with?
Limbs, but can occur in any part of the body including head and neck if the lymph drainage is interrupted.
What are the most common causes of lymph drainage interruption?
Surgical interventions to remove lymph node metastases, blockage or interruption of vessels by tumour, injury or parasites.
Where is the majority of lymph returned to? (2)
Venous system in two places:
At junction of SUBCLAVIAN and INTERNAL JUGULAR VEINS.
Where are there additional connections into the venous system?
- IVC
- Renal
- Suprarenal
- Azygous
- Iliac veins
What type of tubes are lymph capillaries? Where are they located?
Blindly ending tubes
In connective tissue
Where do lymph capillaries start as and what do they come to form?
Initially a plexus then anastomose to form larger vessels.
Blood capillaries are more permeable than lymph capillaries. True or False.
False.
Lymph vessels can be very large. True or False.
False.
What is the largest lymph vessel?
Thoracic duct. Diameter: 2-5mm
All lymph vessels are very thin walled. True or False.
True
Lymph vessels do NOT form many anastomoses. True or False.
False.
How is lymph fluid transported?
Similar to veins:
- Gravity
- Muscle in walls (only in larger lymph vessels)
- External pressure
a) movement of adjacent viscera and muscles
b) suction - Numerous valves - pockets of vessel lining - usually in pairs
What do lymph vessels usually follow? What characteristic?
Larger blood vessels as a plexus.
Lymph vessels are always associated with lymph nodes. True or False.
False.
Where are lymph vessels not found? (3)
- CNS
- Bone marrow
- Avascular tissue (e.g. cornea, epidermis, cartilage)f
What are the functions of lymph nodes? (2)
- Immunoserveillance of lymph
2. Production of lymphocytes and other immune cells
How big are lymph organs?
1 - 25 mm long. Many are tiny.
What is a lymph node enlargement called? What is it a result of?
Lymphadenopathy
The result of infection or a tumour.
Lymph nodes are always associated with lymph vessels. True or False.
True.
Most lymph vessels pass through at least one node on its way back to the circulation. True or False.
True.
How many lymph nodes do we have?
Approximately 300-400.
Where are most of the lymph nodes located?
- Neck
- Thorax
- Abdomen
- Pelvis
- Groin
There are relatively few lymph nodes in limbs and none on the thoracic duct. True or False.
True.
What are some lymph organs?
- Spleen
- Thymus
- Tonsils
What is the thoracic duct formed by on the left side and lower body? Where?
The confluence of 5 major tributaries in the posterior abdomen:
- 2 lumbar lymph trunks
- 1 gastrointestinal lymph trunk
- 2 descending intercostal (thoracic) lymph trunks
What do the lumbar lymph trunks drain?
- Lower abdominal and pelvic walls
- Lower limbs
- Pelvic viscera
- Parts of the large intestine, kidneys and suprarenals.
What does the gastrointestinal lymph trunk drain?
- Liver
- Spleen
- Pancrease
- Stomach
- Small intesting and much more of large intestine
What does the descending intercostal lymph trunk drain?
Lower thoracic regions on both sides
Where does the descending thoracic lymph trunk pass?
Through the diaphragm to the start of the thoracic duct.