Lymphatics

Question 1

t/f, the lymphatic system is a one way system that drains into the venous system

Answer 1

true

Question 2

T/f, the cardiovascular system is a closed system while the lymphatic system is not

Answer 2

true

Question 3

What are the four main functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 3

1. immune defense
2. transport and drainage of excess fluids, proteins, and cellular debris
3. sanitation system of the body
4. maintains proper fluid levels in the blood capillaries

Question 4

What duct correspond to each part?

Answer 4

Question 5

t/f, lymph vessels most closely resemble veins as they lack thick walls and do not have valves

Answer 5

false, do resemble veins but DO have valves

Question 6

body is separated into regions of lymph drainage called _____ which are separated by _____ that have very few lymph collectors, and lymph flow is in different directions on either side of the (second blank)

Answer 6

lymphotomes, watershed

Question 7

When does lymphedema most commonly occur?

Answer 7

after breast cancer surgery and treatment

Question 8

What are the three different types of lymphatic insufficiency?

Answer 8

mechanical- impaired transport capacity -> lymphatic load is high
dynamic- volume insufficiency-> lymphatic load exceeds the transport capacity
Combined

Question 9

Which lymphatic insufficiency is most common and what conditions is it mostly associated with?

Answer 9

dynamic, heart failure, chronic venous insufficiency, pregnancy and causes PITTING edema

Question 10

Describe how lymphedema occurs?

Answer 10

increasing lymphedema, lymphatic vessels dilate and valves become incompetent and so the body tries to compensate with new anastomoses and if they DON’T work-> leads to chronic inflammation, tissue fibrosis and chronic infection

Question 11

How do you diagnose lymphedema?

Answer 11

nonpitting edema
Positive stemmer sign: examiner cannot pinch the skin on the dorsum of the foot or hand

Question 12

What condition is known as a family inheritance of lymphedema?

Answer 12

Milroy’s disease (primary lymphedema)

Question 13

What condition leads to secondary lymphedema due to a tropical disease from mosquitos?

Answer 13

lymphatic filariasis

Question 14

What is the difference between primary and secondary lymphedema?

Answer 14

primary is due to congenital or hereditary causes and secondary is due to a known injury to the lymphatic system

Question 15

What are the stages of lymphedema?

Answer 15

0-3
0: no clinical edema, negative stemmer sign, reduced lymph transport capacity
1: soft and pitting edema, negative stemmer sign, reverses with elevation
2: positive stemmer sign, nonpitting edema, skin changes, does NOT reverse with elevation
3: severe brawny and nonpitting edema, positive stemmer, tissue is fibrosclerotic, frequent infections, skin changes

Question 16

T/F, diuretics can be used to help treat lymphedema

Answer 16

false, can’t because the fluid is protein rich and won’t be affected by the diuretics

Question 17

What is the conservative treatment method to help treat lymphedema?

Answer 17

manual lymph drainage

Question 18

t/f, when doing manual lymph drainage, it is critical to FIRST treat the central areas and UNINVOLVED lymph nodes

Answer 18

true, this allows for the uninvolved side to be prepped and ready to receive the lymph from the affected side

Question 19

What condition is a bilateral condition that mostly affects the LE’s and is a gradual and progressive accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissue and mostly seen in women, and has a negative stemmer sign?

Answer 19

lipedema