Lymphatics of the Head and Neck Flashcards
What are the three main functions of the lymphatic system?
picks up protein molecules from tissue fluid which are too large to pass through capillaries and transports them to bloodstream, returns excess tissue fluid to bloodstream, and produces lymphocytes
What are swellings that produce lymphocytes and act as filters for the lymph, preventing foreign bodies from entering the bloodstream?
lymph nodes
What does an afferent lymph vessel do?
drains lymph to a node
What does an efferent lymph vessel do?
drains lymph from a node
What are the three superficial nodes of the head?
occipital, mastoid, and parotid
What are the superficial lymph nodes of the neck?
submandibular, submental, anterior cervical, superficial cervical
What is lymph moved by?
skeletal muscle contraction
What is exercise good for in the lymphatic system?
it helps clear toxins from tissues and helps metabolize such toxins
Which nodes are a chain of nodes that follow along the external jugular vein?
superficial cervical
What are the two largest deep cervical nodes?
jugulodigastric node and jugulo-omohyoid node
Which node is enlarged during tonsilitis?
jugulodigastric
What drains into the junction between the internal jugular and subclavian veins?
right jugular trunk
What drains into the thoracic duct?
left jugular trunk
What do the submental nodes do?
afferents of this node drain the central portions of the lower lip, the floor of the mouth, and the tip of the tongue
What do the submandibular nodes do?
afferents of this node drain the cheek, side of the nose, upper lip, lateral part of the lower lip, gums and the margin of the tongue
what is the spread of cancer via the lymphatic system?
lymphogenous metastasis
Which node is usually enlarged on the left side and is often the first indication of a visceral tumor of the thorax or abdomen?
signal (sentinel) nodes
What is a primary tumor of lymph nodes?
lymphoma
What is Hodgkins Disease?
lymphoma that can be managed
A type of lymphoma that is very aggressive and has a poor prognosis?
non-hodgkins lymphoma
What is a parasitic infection of lymphatic system?
filariasis
When diagnosing lymphomas, what are the indcators?
tendor painful - indicates infection
hard and painless - cyst development or cancer
