Principles of the lymphatic system Flashcards
What are the functions of the lymphatics system?
- Maintains constant IF and prevents oedema
- Immunological function
- Absorbs fat in small intestine
What is the general plan of the lymphatics system?
Capillary network → Afferent vessels → Lymph nodes → Efferent vessels → Lymph trunks → Terminal vessels → Veins
What are the main terminal lymph vessels in the body?
- Right: Right lymphatic trunk
- Left: Thoracic duct
What is the structure of lymph capillaries?
- Blind-ended sacs
- Flap-like structures at blind end
What are the differences between lymph vessels and veins?
- More valves
- Thinner
- More frequent anastomoses
What lymph vessels contain smooth muscles?
- Trunks
- Terminal ducts
What is the level of the cisterna chyli?
L2
What are the primary lymphoid organs?
- Bone marrow
- Thymus
What are the secondary lymphoid organs?
- Lymph nodes
- Tonsils
- Spleen
- Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (e.g. Peyer’s patches)
What are the main functions of the spleen?
- Filter blood
- Phagocytosis of senescent erythrocytes
- Phagocytose bacteria
- Sypply T and B cells
- Manufacture antibodies
What is a sentinel lymph node?
First lymph node(s) invaded by cancer
What is the structure of lymph nodes?
- Convex surface where afferent vessels drain onto
- Concave surface where efferent vessels drain into
- More afferent than efferent vessels to stagnate flow of lymph through node
Which organs are lymph capillaries not found in?
- Bone marrow
- Bone
- Teeth
- CNS
- Epidermis
What are the associations of superficial and deep lymphatics?
- Superficial lymphatics run with the veins
- Deep lymphatics run with the arteries
