Lymphatic System and Interstitial Space

Question 1

Lymphatic System

Answer 1

activate immune system response
collect extra cellular fluid and return to circulatory system
absorb dietary lipids and fat soluble vitamins from small intestine

Question 2

Wheelchair implications

Answer 2

pooling of lymphatic fluid in LE due to insufficient circulation

Question 3

interstitium

Answer 3

space between the body’s structural barriers

Question 4

interstitial fluid

Answer 4

fluid in interstitial space containing proteins, collagen, lymphocytes

Question 5

capillary filtration

Answer 5

the movement of blood plasma across the microvascular walls of the arterial capillaries and into the interstitial

Question 6

lymphatic drainage

Answer 6

the movement of interstitial fluid across the microvascular walls of the lymphatic capillaries and into the lymphatic system

Question 7

lymph

Answer 7

fluid in lymphatic capillaries

Question 8

edema

Answer 8

rate of capillary filtration exceeds that of lymphatic drainage, excess of interstitial fluid accumulates
normal in inflammatory phase of injury, infection, surgery
sustained immobility, lymphatic blockages (following node dissection, second to cancer) cardiopulmonary, liver, kidney disfunction

Question 9

OT implications edema

Answer 9

problematic for UE, nerve, tendon ligament restriction

Question 10

edematous hand

Answer 10

can undergo permanent trophic change, loss of function, as tissues remodel inappropriately

Question 11

Edema assessments

Answer 11

Volumetric displacement

figure of eight method of circumferential measurement

Question 12

Edema modalities

Answer 12

electrotherapeutic 
thermal
pneumatic pumps
elastic taping
myofascial release 
exercise 
low stretch bandages 
compression gloves 
manual edema mobilization massage (MEM)