Lymphatics Flashcards
What are the 3 anatomical components of the lymphatic system?
- Lymph fluid
- Lymphatic vessels
- Lymphatic tissues/organs
Main function of the lymphatic system?
Homeostasis - immune, digestive, waste, etc.
When does the lymphatic system begin to develop?
5th week of gestation
Why is breast feeding recommended?
The lymphoid tissue is immature at birth
4 functions of lymphatic system?
- Maintain fluid balance
- Tissue purification - lymph bathes organs, cleanses toxins and bacteria
- Defense - lymph nodes contains immune cells, Ag processing and presentation
- Nutrition - Fat absorption via chylomicrons, returns proteins to vasculature
When fluid overload occurs, the lymphatic system helps prevent tissue damage by ________
Clearing excess
_____ of lymph is necessary for appropriate immune function
Free flow
4 tissues that do NOT have lymphatic vessels?
- Epidermis including hair and nails
- Endomysium of muscle
- Cartilage
- Bone marrow
Describe the pathway for lymph
Terminal lymphatics Collecting vessels Afferent lymph vessels Lymph nodes Efferent lymph vessels Lymphatic trunks Thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct Venous system
Collecting vessels consist of chains of muscular units called?
Lymphangions - contract to move lymph in peristaltic waves
Lymphangions contain what type of muscle?
Smooth
2 types of lymph nodes?
Superficial - in subcutaneous tissue
Deep
Function of lymph nodes
Filtration of fluid, maturation of lymphocytes and phagocytosis of bacteria
What are the lymphatic trunks?
- Lumbar
- Intestinal
- Bronchomediastinal
- Subclavian
- Jugular
Efferent lymphatic vessels drain into?
Lymphatic trunks
This trunk drains lymph from lower limbs and pelvic organs
Lumbar
This trunk drains lymph from abdominal viscera
Intestinal
This trunk drains portions of thorax
Bronchomediastinal
This trunk drains upper limbs
Subclavian
This trunk drains portions of neck and head
Jugular
What drains the lymphatic trunks of the lower body?
Cisterna chyli
Where is the cisterna chyli?
L1-L2
What gives rise to the thoracic duct?
Cisterna chyli at L1-2
What drains into the thoracic duct?
Left head, Left neck, Left UE, Left thorax/abdomen
EVERYTHING INFERIOR TO UMBILICUS
What does the thoracic duct empty into?
Left subclavian and Left internal jugular veins
What drains into the Right lymphatic duct?
Right head, Right neck, Right UE, R thorax
Heart and lungs
What does the right lymphatic duct empty into?
Right subclavian and Right internal jugular venous JUNCTION
Swollen, soft and painful lymph node may indicate?
Infection
Swollen, hard and non-painful lymph node may indicate?
Malignancy
Virchow’s lymph node may indicate?
Abdominal cancer
Epitrochlear lymph nodes (elbow) may indicate?
Secondary syphilis
Largest single mass of lymphoid tissue?
Spleen
Functions of the spleen?
Destroy damaged RBC
Synthesize immunoglobulin
Clear bacteria
Half of the body’s lymph is formed at this lymphoid tissue and it clears bacteria
Liver
Lymphoid tissue for maturation side of T cells and no real function in an adult
Thymus
Lymphoid tissue that helps to build immunity in early life, no real function in an adult
Tonsils
Lymphoid tissue that is a part of the GALT
Appendix
Visceral lymphoid tissue consists of?
GALT - peyer’s patches and lacteals (SI in villi)
What 2 diaphragms contract and pull fluid centrally and superiorly?
Thoracic diaphragm
Pelvic diaphragm
What are the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on lymph valves?
- This creates tighter valves
- - Causes DECREASED lymph flow into the venous system
What are the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on lymphatic smooth muscle?
- This causes DECREASED peristalsis
- - Causes LYMPHATIC CONGESTION
OMT to address _______ improves lymphatic function
Hypersympatheticonia
What is the main consequence of poorly functioning lymphatic system?
EDEMA = buildup of interstitial fluid
Edema causes an increase in interstitial pressures which causes lymphatic vessels to collapse. What does this cause?
More edema
Effects of edema?
- Decreased nutrient and oxygen delivery because of compression of structures
- Decreased tissue waste removal
- Decreased pathogen/bacteria clearance
Techniques designed to remove impediments to lymphatic circulation and promote flow of interstitial fluid and lymph
Lymphatic OMT
Goal of lymphatic OMT?
Balanced, well-functioning system in which NO edema occurs
What are some indications for lymphatic OMT?
Edema
Respiratory infections
Asthma, COPD
What are the absolute contraindications for lymphatic OMT?
Anuria - kidneys must be functioning
Necrotizing fasciitis in treatment area
Common compensatory pattern?
Left Right Left Right
Uncommon compensatory pattern?
Right Left Right Left
Where are the fascial patterns of zink?
OA/C1
C7/T1
T12/L1
L5/Sacrum
What are the transverse restrictors?
Tentorium cerebelli
Thoracic inlet
Thoracolumbar diaphragm
Pelvic diaphragm
Uncompensated patterns usually are?
Symptomatic and a trauma is involved
What part of the lymphatic system is the main purifier?
Lymph nodes
For tissue purification, lymph collects toxins, bacteria and waste and travels to?
Lymph nodes for purification
Describe how lymphatic system is important in defense?
Lymph fluid brings the toxins and bacteria to lymph nodes where it comes into contact with immune cells
What is lymph fluid?
Substances that leak out of capillaries/organs into interstitial space
Collecting vessels consist of?
Lymphangions
Lymphangions have how many leaflet bicuspid valves?
2
What is innervating the collecting vessles?
ANS
What is the path of lymph through a lymph node?
- Afferent lymphatics - opposite hilum
- Subscapular space - DC’s and macrophages
- Outer cortex - B cells
- Deep cortex - T cells
- Medullary sinus - B cells and plasma cells
- Effect lymphatics - hilum where lymph exits
What is at the core of a lymph node?
Medullary sinus
Subscapular space of a lymph node contains?
Dendritic cells and macrophages
What part of a lymph node contains T cells?
Deep cortex
What part of a lymph node contains B cells?
Outer cortex and medullary sinus
The thoracic duct drains the entire lower body and left upper body. It takes a ____ turn to dump into _____
U-turn
Dumps into Left subclavian and Left internal jugular veins
The right lymphatic duct drains the right upper body. Where does it originate?
Junction of right jugular and subclavian trunks
The movement of _____ controls the spleen and liver fluid movement
Diaphragm
What drives the lymphatic fluid to flow?
Negative interstitial fluid pressure
What occurs if the interstitial fluid pressure is greater than zero?
Flow ceases
What creates the pressure gradients and peristalsis in lymphatic vessles?
Smooth muscle contractions
Healthy people are considered to have what type of compensatory pattern?
Alternating
Un-compensated patterns
Do NOT alternate = considered less healthy
“Ideal pattern”
NO preference for fascial rotation in any zone
