Lymphatic System (Exam 2)

Question 1

What are the 3 functions of the Lymphatic System?

Answer 1

1. Drain excess interstitial fluid
2. Transport dietary lipids
3. Immune response (T cells and B cells mostly)

Question 2

What are the 4 major components of the Lymphatic System?

Answer 2

1. Lymph
2. Lymphatic vessels
3. Lymphatic tissue
4. red marrow

Question 3

In comparison to blood capillaries, lymphatic capillaries differ in what two ways?

Answer 3

1. they have a slightly larger diameter
2. they permit interstitial fluid to flow in, but not out

Question 4

Describe the flow of lymph from the capillaries

Answer 4

Capillaries > vessels > ducts > Junction of internal jugulars and subclavian veins

Question 5

Lymphatic vessels are more similar to ___ than ___.

Answer 5

more similar to veins than arteries

Question 6

What is lymph?

Answer 6

Excess filtered fluid from blood capillaries that drains into lymph vessels.

Question 7

Lymph contains most components of blood plasma except ____. Why?

Answer 7

except proteins.

• this is because it originated in blood

Question 8

What is the function of the primary lymphatic organs?

Answer 8

to provide a place where lymphocytes (B and T cells) can form and become immunocompetent/mature

• both B and T cells are “born” in the bone marrow
• T cells have to migrate to the thymus to eventually achieve immunocompetence

Question 9

What are the 2 primary lymphatic organs?

Answer 9

the red bone marrow and the thymus gland

Question 10

What is the function of secondary lymphatic organs?

Answer 10

they activate lymphocytes

Question 11

What are the 3 secondary lymphatic organs?

Answer 11

1. lymph nodes
2. spleen
3. connective tissue capsule

Question 12

What is the secondary lymphatic tissue?

Answer 12

lymphatic nodules (no connective tissue capsule)

Question 13

Describe the shape of the thymus, its function, and size in adolescents vs adults

Answer 13

Shape: Bi-lobed

Function: Site where T-cells mature (in cortex/inner medulla)

Size in adolescents vs adults: Larger in adolescents than in adults; thymus atrophies with age due to immune system being more fully developed

Question 14

What is the function of lymph nodes?

Answer 14

they function as a filter for lymph

Question 15

Describe the lymph node.

Answer 15

• covered with a capsule
• trabeculae (roadways) divide node
• Outer cortex has nodules (B cell clusters)
• Inner cortex has T cells
• Medulla has B cells
• Macrophages
  
  • Eliminate threat before material emerges from lymph node
• Reticular fibers trap foreign substances
  
  • Most important fiber in cell

Question 16

The spleen in like…

Answer 16

…a lymph node for blood

Question 17

What are the two types of pulp in the spleen?

Answer 17

1. White pulp
2. Red pulp

Question 18

Name the 3 cell types in white pulp and what their overall function is

Answer 18

1. B cells
2. T cells
3. Macrophages

They clean blood entering through the splenic artery

Question 19

What are the 3 functions of the red pulp?

Answer 19

1. Removal of deficient blood cells and platelets
2. Storage of platelets
3. Fetal hemopoiesis

Question 20

Is the spleen essential?

Answer 20

No, not in adults

Question 21

What are lymphatic nodules?

Answer 21

Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT)

Question 22

What is a Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT)?

Answer 22

• Mucous membranes of GI, urinary, reproductive tracts and airways
  
  • Make up interior lining of membranes that are open to the environment (mouth, nostril, etc)
  • Lined with lymphatic tissue
  • Any time there is a mucous membrane, there is lymphatic tissue
• Some aggregate (ex. Tonsils)
  
  • 3 sets of tonsils
  • Not essential which allow for removal if absolutely necessary