the lymphatic system Flashcards
what is the lymphatic system
a network of vessels and organs that isolate and neutralise foreign agents that can harm the body
what is the lymphatic system comprised of
- lymph nodes
- lymph
- lymphatic vessels
- thymus glands
- tonsils
- spleen
- bone marrow
how many lymph nodes are there in the body
600
what is the function of lymph nodes
act as filters to remove the foreign particles from fluids that run through the vessels of the lymphatic system
what are swollen lymph nodes a sign of
the body fighting an infection or disease
what do lymph nodes contain
lymphocytes
what are the two main lymphocytes
B and T
what do B lymphocytes do
produce antibodies that attack foreign invaders
what do T lymphocytes do
destroy cells taken over by an infectious agent or cancer
infection leads to inflammation and heat and redness. why
the blood vessels dilate when there is an infection to allow larger immune cells to access the site of the infection, and heat is generated to damage the invader.
what is adenopathy
when the lymph nodes become red hot and swollen in response to infection or disease
what is an example of lymph node swelling that causes pain
those by the eustachian tube which can become compressed when they swell
where are lymph nodes found
armpits
neck
groin
upper abdomen
mediastinum
what are the main groups of lymph nodes
cervical
axillary
supraclavicular
mediastinal
inguinal
retroperitoneal
mesenteric
pelvic
what are the three main cervical lymph nodes groups
anterior cervical
posterior cervical
occipital
what causes the swelling of the anterior cervical lymph nodes
the common cold
what causes the swelling of the posterior cervical lymph nodes
infectious mononucleosis
what causes the swelling of the occipital lymph nodes
HIV
where are anterior cervical lymph nodes located
front of the neck
where are posterior cervical lymph nodes located
behind the muscles of the neck
where are the occipital cervical lymph nodes located
back of the neck and base of the skull
where are the axillary lymph nodes located
the armpit
how many axillary lymph nodes are found in each armpit
between 10 and 40
what does swelling of the axillary lymph nodes suggest
breast cancer, as the cancer shells shed from the breast tumour will travel here first
where are the supraclavicular lymph nodes found
above the collarbone
what causes the supraclavicular lymph nodes to swell
lymphoma or lung cancer
where are the mediastinal lymph nodes located
in the centre of the chest cavity between the lungs
where are the inguinal lymph nodes
the groin
what causes the swelling of the mediastinal lymph nodes
lung cancer and some lymphomas
what causes the swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes
injury
STDs
skin infections
yeast infections
cancer
where are the retroperitoneal lymph nodes located
back of the abdomen
what causes the swelling of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes
testicular cancer
what causes the swelling of the mesenteric lymph nodes
gastroenteritis
IBD
lymphoma
what is gastroenteritis
stomach flu
where are mesenteric lymph nodes located
surrounding the intestine
where are the pelvic lymph nodes
around the hip bones, bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs
what causes swelling of the pelvic lymph nodes
bladder, prostate, cervical, ovarian or anal cancer
what disease can swell the lymph nodes that we commonly come across in dentistry
sjogrens syndrome
what is the thymus gland
the main organ of the lymphatic system located in the upper chest. promotes the development of the cells of the immune system called t lymphocytes. relatively large in size until puberty when it shrinks and is replaced by fat
