The lymphoid system

Question 1

What is chylous ascites?

Answer 1

ascites resulting from damage of the cisterna chyle, which is involved in conveying lymph from the lower part of the body back to the circulation

Question 2

What are the functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 2

return of lymph to the circulation:
- important in fluid homeostasis
- prevent excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues - oedema
filter lymph before return to the circulation (in the lymph nodes):
- cell traffic
- interactions with the immune cells

Question 3

What cell types are found in lymph nodes?

Answer 3

Lymphocytes - T cells, B cells, NK cells
Mononuclear phaogcytes (macrophages), antigen presenting cells, and dendritic cells
Endothelial cells

Question 4

Where are B cells and T cells found in the lymph nodes?

Answer 4

B cells - peripheries of node

T cells - remainder of the node

Question 5

What does generalised lymphadenopathy suggest?

Answer 5

systemic inflammatory process, or widespread malignancy (lymphoma or leukaemia are highly suspected in this case)

Question 6

What are the primary lymphoid tissues?

Answer 6

bone marrow and thymus

Question 7

What causes splenomegaly?

Answer 7

Infection: e.g. EBV, malaria, TB, Typhoid, Leischmaniasis
congestion: portal (liver cirrhosis, portal/splenic vein thrombosis, heart failure)
haematological diseases: lymphoma/leukaemia, haemolytic anaemia, myeloproliferative disorders, ITP
inflammatory conditions: RA, SLE
storage diseases: Gaucher’s, Riemann-Pick disease
Miscellaneous: amyloid, tumours, cysts

Question 8

What condition is characterised by rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly, and a low WCC (neutropenia) and may also have anaemia and thrombocytopenia?

Answer 8

Felty’s syndrome