Lymphatics Flashcards
What are the functions of the lymphatic system?
- drain excess interstitial fluid
- transport dietary lipid (GI –> blood)
- protects against invasion through immune responses
- -> macrophages remove and destroy debris in lymph
- -> lymphocytes monitor presence of antigens - plays unwanted role in providing a pathway to spread malignancy
What area of the body does the right lymphatic duct drain? Where does it drain to?
- Drains the right upper quadrant of the body
- duct ends at the right subclavian vein at the junction with the internal jugular vein
What area of the body does the thoracic duct drain? Where does the duct begin and end?
- drains everywhere but the right upper quadrant
- begins in the abdomen as the cisterna chyle
- ends at the left venous angle (left subclavian vein and IJV)
What areas doe the following nodes (of the thoracic duct) drain?
- cervical nodes
- axillary nodes
- inguinal nodes
- drain above clavicles
- between clavicle and umbilicus
- below umbilicus
Describe the lymphatic drainage of the head and neck.
- vessels (from other lymph nodes around head and neck) enter superficial cervical lymph nodes along the course of the EJV (over the SCM)
- the efferents from the superficial chain drain into the deep chain
- deep cervical nodes are the vertical chain along the IJV (under the SCM)
- the efferent vessels from the deep chain form the right jugular trunk
Describe the lymphatic drainage of the abdomen (below umbilicus) and lower limb.
There are 2 groups of inguinal lymph nodes:
- Horizontal (superficial to inguinal ligament)
- form superficial lymphatics from anterior abdominal wall, peritoneum and external genitalia - Vertical (along termination of great saphenous vein)
- form the majority of superficial lymphatics from leg
- efferents from superficial lymph nodes drain to the deep lymph nodes
List the lymph nodes involved in draining the thorax.
- tracheal
- broncho-mediastinal
- superior tracheobronchial
- bronchopulmonary
- interpulmonary
- interlobar
- inferior tracheobronchial
What causes Kerley-B lines (CXR) and what do they indicate?
- Caused by engorged interlobular lymphatics which have been distended by fluid
- indication of increased pulmonary venous pressure, could be due to:
1. LVF
2. mitral stenosis
3. pulmonary fibrosis
4. lymphangitis
Describe the lymphatic drainage of the posterior abdominal wall.
- Lymphatics lie along aorta, IVC and iliac vessels
- Ext + int iliac drain to lumbar lymph nodes which drain to right and left lumbar trunks
- Vessels from abdomen drain to pre aortic lymph nodes which drain to intestinal lymph trunk
- Intestinal + right and left lumbar trunks drain to cisterna chyle (beginning of thoracic duct)
- Anterior to L1 and L2
Where is Virchow’s node located and why is it important?
Supraclavicular side on the left
Common site of metastases
What is the tissue in lymphoid organs made up of?
Reticular connective tissue
What is the role of the spleen as a lymphoid organ?
- provides a site for lymphocyte proliferation, immune surveillance and response
- has blood cleansing functions (extracts aged + defects RBCs + platelets, macrophages remove debris)
- stores and releases breakdown products of RBCs
- site of erythrocyte production in the foetus
- stores platelets
What is secreted by the thymus?
Thymopoietin and thymosins = cause t lymphocytes to become competent
What are adenoids?
Mass of enlarged lymphatic tissue between back of nose and throat (where pharyngeal tonsils are located)
Name the different types of tonsils.
Pharyngeal
Tubal
Palatine
Lingual
