Lymphatic System Flashcards
Functions Specific and Non-specific Immunity Active and Passive Immunity Lymph nodes Lymph Flow of Lymph Hodgkin's Lymphoma Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Lymphoedema
What is the function of the Lymphatic System?
- TISSUE DRAINAGE: Excess interstitial fluid (lymph) transported back to the blood. Lymphatic vessels are ONE WAY - blind ended like a cul-de-sac.
Lymph nodes filter debris, fight and clean up basically.
2.ABSORB FATS: Absorbs fat and fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, into lymph vessels and transports it to the venous circulation. - IMMUNITY (Major role)
Lymph nodes filter lymph to remove microorganisms and foreign particles and activate WBCs that destroy invading microorganisms.
What is Specific Immunity?
It is ANTIGEN SPECIFIC - antigen excites immune system and provokes an immune response.
Tolerance - it ignores healthy cells.
Memory - It recognises them from previous encounters and so the response is much faster.
What is Non-Specific Immunity?
It is by way of: NK cells (Natural Killer) Natural Anti-microbial cells Phagocytosis - phagocytes destroy/engulf/eat bad bacteria. PACMAN. Surface membrane barriers Inflammatory response.
What is Adaptive Immunity?
It involves the Lymphocytes that are known as
B Cells
T Cells
Lymphocytes originate in Red Bone Marrow.
What is Active Immunity?
It can be:
Naturally Acquired: During bacterial or viral infections.
Artificially Acquired: From Vaccines.
What is Passive Immunity?
Antibodies are obtained from somebody else such as:
Conferred Naturally: From Mother to Foetus.
Conferred Artificially: Immune Serum or IMMUNOGLOBULIN.
What are the 5 classes of Immunoglobulin?
M = IgM A = IgA - MUCOUS D = IgD G = IgG - CROSSES PLACENTAL BARRIER E = Involved in ALLERGIES
What do the Lymph nodes do and where are they located within the Lymphatic system?
They filter lymph before returning it to the blood. They produce and store WBCs that destroy invaders entering lymph vessels.
They are scattered along the collecting vessels.
What is Lymph?
Lymph is a plasma-like fluid. It is clear and colourless.
It flows ONE WAY.
It is the result of absorption of plasma proteins, cell debris, invaders and fluid from the tissues.
Usually about 2-4 litres per DAY.
What is the flow within the Lymphatic system?
Lymph capillaries into lymphatic collecting vessels then into lymph nodes, into the lymph trunks, into the Lymph ducts which then empty into the veins in the NECK.
What is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
It is the 5th most common in males and 6th most common in females.
Similar to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
MULTIPLE NODE involvement throughout BODY and METASTASES at DIAGNOSIS.
Intestinal nodes and organs are INVOLVED EARLY.
PROGNOSIS VARIES but NOT as GOOD as H.L.
What is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Developing Lymphocytes are MALIGNANT & MULTIPLY UNCONTROLLABLY.
15-30 Yrs primarily.
Night sweats, pruritis (itch), Fever; Weight Loss; Oedema - in lymph nodes
INITIALLY in ONE LYMPH NODE but does flow to ALL LYMPH NODES
PROGNOSIS: GOOD.
What is Lymphoedema?
It is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in tissues that cause oedema (due to a blockage of drainage).
What are the causes of Lymphoedema?
Damage to Lymphatic system - trauma or tissue damage
Venous disease
Immobility and dependency
Radiotherapy
Infection (Cellulitis)
Post lymph node removal surgery (blocked drainage)
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Lymphoedema?
Transient oedema of the limb
Aching and heaviness and stiffness
Limitation of movement - tightness - temperature changes
Sometimes pain and tension.
