Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Haematology > The Lymphatic System > Flashcards

The Lymphatic System Flashcards

1
Q

Where do HSC arise from?

A

Foetal liver / post-natal bone marrow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What organ is associated with B cell maturation?

A

Bone marrow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What organ is associated with T cell maturation?

A

Thymus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the central (primary) lymphoid system composed of?

A

Bone marrow + thymus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the peripheral (secondary) lymphoid tissue composed of?

A
  • Lymph nodes.
  • Spleen.
  • Tonsils (Waldeyer’s ring).
  • Epithelio-lymphoid tissues.
  • Bone marrow.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

In clinic, what do you have to decide about enlarged lymph nodes?

A
  • Lymphadenopathy.
  • Localised, more widespread or generalised.
  • Peripheral or central (internal).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is splenomegaly?

A

Enlarged spleen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the function of the lymphatic system?

A
  • Important function in fluid homeostasis

* Prevent excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues – oedema

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does the lymphoid system permit?

A
  • Cell traffic
  • Cell trapping
  • Interaction with of cells and “molecules” with cells of the immune system – protective function
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe the appearance of a lymph node.

A

Small, oval bodies, measuring up to 2.5cm.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where are lymph nodes located?

A

Along lymphatic vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are lymphatic vessels?

A

Blind-ending vascular channels that collect fluid from tissues and return to the blood stream

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What type of movement do lymphatic vessels depend on?

A

Passive movement of fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What ensures the direction of flow through lymphatic vessels?

A

Valves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What drains lymph through the capsule of the lymph node?

A

Afferent channels – through the capsule in to the peripheral sinus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What leaves from the hilum of the lymph node?

A

Effect channel - allows lymph to leave the node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What do the efferent vessels of the lymph node drain to?

A
  • cisterna chyli/thoracic duct.
  • L jugular, subclavian or bronchomediastinal trunks.
  • R jugular, subclavian or bronchomediastinal trunks.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

After leaving the lymph node, where does lymph drain to?

A

The venous system at the junction of the L or R subclavian and jugular veins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Where do arterial and venous vessels serving the node enter/exit?

A

At the hilum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What happens to lymph, in the lymph node, before it is returned to the circulation?

A

It is filtered within the node parenchyma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Where would lymph oedema be seen in a patient post-axillary clearance from breast cancer?

A

Arm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Why does axillary surgery for breast cancer cause lymphoedema?

A

Disrupts the ability of the lymphatics to return fluid back to the circulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is chylous ascites?

A

Main trunk draining lymph back is obstructed or damaged

Accumulation of lipid rich lymph in the peritoneal cavity due to distruption secondary to trauma or obstruction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the 2 main functions of the lymphatic system?

A
  • To return lymph to the circulation

* To filter lymph before returning it to the circulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

How does the lymphatic system prevent lymphedema?

A

By returning lymph to the circulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

The lymphoid system is an important DEFENCE system

A

T

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

How does the lymphoid system act as a defence system?

A
  • Houses cells of the innate immune system
  • Traffic of APC’s links innate and adaptive immune responses
  • Seat of the adaptive immune response
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the 3 types of lymphocyte found in lymph nodes?

A
  • B cells
  • T cells
  • NK cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are B cells associated with?

A

Follicles and germinal centres.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Where are plasma cells mainly found?

A

In the medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are the 2 types of T cell?

A
  • T helper cells

* T cytotoxic cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What other cells are found in lymph nodes (except lymphocytes)?

A
  • Mononuclear phagocytes (macrophages), antigen presenting cells, dendritic cells.
  • Endothelial cells.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is CD20 a marker of?

A

B cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What is CD3 a marker of?

A

T cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

If a person has an enlarged lymph node, think . . .

A

Is this evidence of underlying pathology?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What are the 2 main groups of causes of lymph node enlargement?

A
  • Reactive process

* Neoplastic disorder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What are the 4 main causes of lymphadenopathy?

A
  • Local inflammation
  • Systemic inflammation
  • Malignancy
  • Others
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

List causes of local inflammation which may cause lymphadenopathy.

A
  • Infection
  • Vaccination
  • Trauma
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

List causes of systemic inflammation which may cause lymphadenopathy.

A
  • Infection
  • Autoimmune
  • CT disorder
40
Q

List malignancies which may cause lymphadenopathy.

A
  • Haem- lymphoma, leukaemia

* Mets

41
Q

List diseases under the heading of ‘others’ which can cause lymphadenopathy.

A
  • Sarcoidosis

* Castlemans Disease

42
Q

List lymph nodes in the body which can be palpated.

A
  • Cervical
  • Axillary
  • Inguinal
43
Q

What major internal lymph node groups can be viewed radiologically?

A
  • Mediastinum

* Para-aortic

44
Q

When examining a patient with regional lymphadenopathy, examine the territory that drains to that group of nodes

45
Q

In cases of superficial infection may see red lines extending from an inflamed lesion, what is this known as?

A

Lymphangitis

46
Q

When may B cells predominate?

A
  • Autoimmune conditions

* Infections

47
Q

When may a phagocytic response predominate?

A

The draining of a tumour site

48
Q

When may T cells predominate?

A
  • Viral infections

* Drugs e.g. phenytoin.

49
Q

What may superficial lymphadenopathy be the first sign of?

A

An underlying malignancy

50
Q

What does generalised lymphadenopathy imply?

A

Either a system inflammatory process, or widespread malignancy.

51
Q

If widespread malignancy is the cause, what are high on the differential diagnosis?

A

Lymphoma/leukaemia.

52
Q

What should always be done before a biopsy?

53
Q

The spleen is a _________ lymphoid organ

54
Q

Where is the spleen located?

A

High in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.

55
Q

What are the normal dimensions and weight of the spleen?

A

12x7x3cm.

Up to 150-200g.

56
Q

The spleen is usually not palpable unless predominantly enlarged

57
Q

What are the 2 key aspects of the surface of the spleen?

A
  1. Diaphragmatic surface.

2. Visceral surface – left kidney, gastric fundus, tail of pancreas, splenic flexure of colon.

58
Q

The spleen is a very ________ organ

59
Q

What is the visceral surface of the spleen in contact with?

A

Left kidney, gastric fundus, tail of pancreas, splenic flexure of colon.

60
Q

Describe the blood supply to the spleen.

A

Supplied by the splenic artery – a branch of the coeliac axis.
Drained by the splenic vein, which forms the portal vein with the SMV.

61
Q

What is the blood supply TO the spleen?

A

Splenic artery (a branch of the coeliac axis)

62
Q

What is the blood supply AWAY from the spleen?

A

Splenic vein (forms the portal vein with the SMV)

63
Q

Rupture of the spleen is a …..

A

Surgical emergency

64
Q

When might the spleen rupture?

A
  • Trauma

* If spleen is diseased and more prone to trauma

65
Q

The spleen is an encapsulated organ

66
Q

What does the parenchymal of the spleen include?

A

Red + white pulp

67
Q

What does red pulp contain?

A

Sinusoids and cords

68
Q

Sinusoids are f__________

A

Fenestrated

69
Q

What lines sinusoids?

A

Endothelial cells

70
Q

What are sinusoids supported by?

A

Hoops of reticulin

71
Q

What do cords of the red pulp of the spleen contain?

A

Macrophages and some fibroblasts and cells in transit (RBC, WBC, PC and some CD8+ T cells).

72
Q

What is the function of the spleen?

A

Basically carried out the same function for blood as lymph nodes do for lymph fluid i.e. acts as a filter for the blood

  • detect, retain and eliminate unwanted, foreign or damaged material.
  • facilitate immune responses to blood-borne antigens
73
Q

How does white pulp of the spleen look on histology?

74
Q

How does red pulp of the spleen look on histology?

75
Q

What is the white pulp of the sinusoids of the spleen composed of?

A

The peri-arteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS) – CD4+ lymphoid cells

76
Q

What is white pulp expanded by?

A

Lymphoid follicles

77
Q

As the white pulp of the sinusoids of the spleen is expanded by lymphoid follicles, what does this mean clinically?

A

Show reactive changes as in lymph nodes

78
Q

How do antigens reach white pulp?

A

Via the blood

79
Q

What happens once antigens reach the white pulp of the sinusoids of the spleen?

A

APC’s in the white pulp present the antigen to immune reactive cells.

And when stimulated by the antigen, T and B cell responses may occur.

80
Q

What symptoms might a patient with an enlarged spleen experience?

A
  • Dragging sensation in LUQ.
  • Discomfort with eating (early satiety)
  • Pain if infarction.
81
Q

Why might someone with an enlarged spleen experience early satiety as a symptom?

A

Their enlarged spleen is pressing on their stomach

82
Q

HYPERSPLENISM is a triad of …

A
  1. Splenomegaly.
  2. Fall in one or more cellular components of blood.
  3. Correction of cytopenias by splenectomy.
83
Q

OUTLINE CAUSES OF SPLENOMEGALY

A

Infection

  • Wide range: EBV, Malaria, TB, Typhoid, Brucellosis, *Leishmaniasis, Trypanosomiasis,

Congestion

  • Portal (Hepatic cirrhosis, portal/splenic vein thrombosis, cardiac failure)

Haematological diseases

  • Lymphoma/leukaemia, haemolytic anaemia, ITP, Myeloproliferative disorders

Inflammatory conditions

  • Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE

Storage diseases

  • Gaucher’s, Niemann-Pick disease

Miscellaneous
* Amyloid, Tumours (primary and metastatic), cysts

(ICHISM – infection, congestion, haematological, inflammatory, storage diseases, miscellaneous)

84
Q

Conditions which cause hypersplenism are associated with what?

A

Splenomegaly

85
Q

What is the KEY diagnostic feature of hypersplenism?

A

Whether cytopenias resolve after splenectomy

86
Q

What is the only way to diagnose hypersplenism?

A

To take out the spleen and see if the cytopenia resolves

87
Q

In cases of bone marrow failure, what may we have to try to balance?

A

The productivity of the spleen with its role in excessive removal of circulating blood cells

88
Q

What is the most common cause of HYPOSPLENISM?

A

Splenectomy (need for immunisation).

89
Q

List causes (other than splenectomy) which cause hyposplenism.

A
  • Coeliac disease.
  • Sickle cell disease.
  • Sarcoidosis.
  • Iatrogenic – non-surgical.
90
Q

What do the features of hyposplenism mainly arise due to?

A

Reduced red pulp function

91
Q

What is a KEY feature, seen on bloods, of someone with hyposplenism?

A

Howell-Jolly bodies. (nuclear remnants, occur when there is no functioning spleen)

92
Q

What may reduced red pulp function be associated with?

A

Some immune deficiency

93
Q

When might someone definitely have immune deficiency if they have hyposplenism?

A

If they had their spleen removed in childhood

94
Q

What type of tissues are the lymph nodes and spleen?

A

Secondary lymphoid tissue

95
Q

LN’s respond to antigens filtered in lymph fluid

96
Q

Spleen responds to antigens in blood.

97
Q

Name 3 functions of the spleen.

A
  • Phagocytosis.
  • Haematopoiesis: normal in foetus, site of extramedullary haematopoiesis in marrow disease.
  • Erythrocyte storage.

Haematology (26 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions