Lymphatics Flashcards
Where are lymph nodes found in the body
All over the body, except for the brain; the blood brain barrier protects the brain
What are the primary lymphoid organs
Bone marrow and thymus
Where are lymphocyte cells made
In the bone marrow
Where do T cells mature and become immunologically competent
The thymus
Where do B cells mature and become immunologically competent
They stay in the bone marrow
What lymph nodes are associated with the intestine
Peyer’s patches
What is lymph
The tissue fluid that enters the lymph capillaries and is carried by lymphatic vessels
Describe the appearance of lymph
Clear, watery and slightly yellow; milky if it contains chyme from the abdominal region
How does lymph move around the body
Small lymphatic vessels join to form larger vessels which pass through nodes
Why are nodes beneficial to lymph
They slow it down, scan it and remove any unwanted proteins or impurities (clean the fluid)
What 2 main cells are located in lymph nodes
Lymphocytes and macrophages
What are lymphocytes
Circulating cells of the immune system that react against foreign materials
What are macrophages
Type of white blood cell, of the immune system, that engulfs and digests any unwanted proteins (cellular debris, foreign substances etc)
Why is lymph important
Collects interstitial fluid, proteins and cells and returns them to the blood stream; helps to remove damaged cells and pathogens
What indicates a problem with a lymph node
When they are swollen
What is a lymph duct
A great lymphatic vessel that empties lymph into one of the subclavian veins
What are the 2 lymph ducts in the body
Right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct (also called the left lymphatic duct)
Where is the cisterna chyli and what empties into it
Enlarged inferior end of the thoracic duct; intestinal trunk and the two lumbar lymphatic trunks
What drains into the right lymphatic duct
- Right upper limb
- Right side of the thorax
- Upper part of the right side of the abdomen
- Right side of the head and neck
What junction does the right lymphatic duct enter the venous system at
Junction of the right subclavian and right jugular veins (right brachiocephalic trunk)
What drains in the left lymphatic duct
- Left upper limb
- Left side of the thorax
- Left side of the abdomen and lower right side of the abdomen
- Left side of the head and neck
- Pelvis
- Lower limbs
What junction does the left lymphatic duct enter the venous system at
Junction of the left subclavian and left jugular veins (often still called the thoracic duct)
Which body part is the waldeyer ring associated with
The tonsils
Where are the parasternal nodes located
Anterior ends of the intercostal spaces, by the side of the internal thoracic artery
What are the 2 lymph nodes associated with the abdomen
Paravertebral and prevertebral
Where are the prevertebral nodes located
Along the thoracic aorta
Where are the paravertebral nodes located
Come up either side of the body wall
What are the 3 sets of lymph nodes associated with the gut
- Coeliac (foregut)
- Superior mesenteric (midgut)
- Inferior mesenteric (hindgut)
What region contains the highest concentration of nodes in the upper limb
The axillary region
What nodes are located in the pelvic region
- Superficial and deep inguinal
2. Common, external and internal iliac
What nodes do the ovaries and testis drain to
Para-aortic
