Lymphatics and Edema Flashcards
Aneurysm
Balloon-like swelling of the wall of an artery, vein, or heart; generally the result of a congenital defect in the wall or degenerative disease or infection (Ex: atherosclerosis or syphilis); dissecting aneurysm is longitudinal splitting of the arterial wall from hemorrhage
Ascites
Abnormal intraperitoneal accumulation of serous fluid
Atherosclerosis
Most common form of arteriosclerosis, deposits in the walls of arteries
Brudzinski sign
Flexion of the hips when neck is flexed from a supine position; occurs in patients with meningeal inflammation
Bruit
Unexplained audible swishing sound or murmur over an artery or vascular organ
Cellulitis
Inflammation of soft or connective tissue that causes a watery exudate to spread through the tissue spaces
Claudication
Condition resulting from muscle ischemia due to decreased arterial blood flow to an area, characterized by intermittent pain and limping
Edema
Excessive accumulation of fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities of the body
Fluctuant
Wavelike motion felt when palpating a node
Kernig’s sign
Sign of meningeal irritation evidenced by reflex contraction and pain in the hamstring muscles when attempting to extend the leg after flexing the hip
Lymphadenopathy
Enlargement of the lymph nodes, typically to greater than 1.5 cm; the increased size is caused by activation and proliferation of lymphocytes and phagocytic white blood cells within the node or by invasion of the node by tumor
Lymphangitis
Inflammation of the lymphatics that drain an area of infection which is often associated with tender erythematous streaks extending proximally from the infected area
Lymphangioma
Congenital malformation of dilated lymphatics
Lymphedema
Swelling, particularly of subcutaneous tissues, caused by obstruction of the lymphatic system and accumulation of interstitial fluid
Matted
Used to describe a group of nodes that feel connected and appear to move as a single unit
Meningitis
Inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord or brain, usually but not always caused by an infectious illness
Nuchal rigidity
Resistance to flexion of the neck, seen in individuals with meningitis
Pitting
Form of edema which appears as an indentation or depression that will not rapidly return to its original appearance
Shotty nodes
Small, nontender nodes that feel like BBs or buckshot under the skin
Thrombophlebitis
Inflammation of the wall of a vein associated with thrombus formation
Thrombosis
Formation or presence of a blood clot within a blood vessel or within one of the cavities of the heart
Varicose vein
An enlarged, dilated, superficial vein; may occur in almost any part of the body but is most common in the lower extremities and the esophagus
Pitting Edema 1+
Slight, no visible distortion, disappears rapidly
2 mm
Pitting Edema 2+
A little deeper pit, no real detectible distortion, disappears in 10-15 seconds
4 mm
Pitting Edema 3+
Noticeable deep pit, lasts more than a minute, noticeable dependent swelling or fullness
6 mm
Pitting Edema 4+
A very deep pit, lasts 2-5 minutes, dependent gross distortion
8 mm
Nodes: hard and discrete
Think malignancy
Nodes: rapid enlargement and no signs of inflammation
Think malignancy
Nodes: slow enlargement over weeks or months
Think benign
Nodes: tender
Think inflammatory
Nodes: pulsatile
Think artery, nodes do not pulsate
Nodes: enlarged left sided supraclavicular node
Think thoracic or abdominal malignancy
Occipital
Base of skull
Posterior auricular
Over mastoid process
Preauricular
In front of ear
Tonsillar (Parotid)
Angle of mandible
Submandibular
Halfway between angle of mandible and chin, on inferior border of jawline
Submental
Midline behind tip of mandible (chin)
Anterior cervical
Front of sternocleidomastoid
Posterior cervical
Two chains: posterior superficial cervical and posterior cervical spinal nerve chain
Located anterior border of trapezius and deep to sternocleidomastoid
Supraclavicular (Virchow nodes)
Angle formed by clavicle and sternocleidomastoid
Axillary
Pentagonal structure: pectoral muscles anteriorly, back muscles posteriorly (latissimus dorsi and subscapularis), rib cage medially, upper arm laterally, axilla at apex
Epitrochlear
Proximal and posterior to medial condyle of humerus
Superior superficial inguinal (femoral)
Close to surface, just over inguinal canal
Inferior superficial inguinal
Deeper in groin compared to superior superficial inguinal
Popliteal
Posterior fossa of knee; flex and relax knee to find
