Week 10 - Lymphatic system disorders Flashcards
What is the role of the lymphatic system?
Transporting fluid and waste product around the body
Immune function
Absorbing dietary fats
What makes up the lymphatic system?
- Lymphoid organs including:
Spleen, thymus, tonsils, bone marrow, appendix, lining of the respiratory and digestive tract and lymph nodes - Lymphatic vessels
Found in all tissues except teeth, bone, cornea and bone marrow.
How many lymph nodes are in the body?
400-700 nodes
What is the role of interstitial fluid?
Brings oxygen and nutrients to cells and waste from these cells enters the interstitial fluid. It is then absorbed by the lymphatics, becoming lymph and is transported to lymph nodes for filtering before returning cleaned to the venous system.
What do lymph nodes do?
Capture and recognise invaders, preventing them from harming the body
What helps lymph move?
Skeletal muscles contracting, blood vessels pulsating.
True or false; Lymph fluid can only go in 1 direction?
True, the vessels have muscle cells and valves so fluid is one directional
What is the process of lymphoedema?
The failure of the lymphatic system
It is an imbalance between capillary filtration into and lymphatic drainage from the interstitial space. The system fails and fluid builds up`
What is lymphoedema?
Oedema or swelling due to accumulation of lymph in tissues
Where can lymphoedema occur?
Limbs, trunk, breast, head, neck and genitals
What causes lymphoedema?
The system doesn’t develop properly (primary lymphoedema)
The system is damaged (secondary lymphoedema)
The system is overloaded (secondary lymphoedema)
What are the 2 types of lymphoedema?
Primary and secondary lymphoedema
Who get’s lymphoedema?
- People whose lymphatic system hasn’t developed properly
- People who have had cancer treatment
- People who have medical conditions, injury or take medication that predisposes them to lymphoedema
- People whose lifestyle increases the lymphatic burden (obesity, sedentary behaviour, poor hygiene)
How does cancer cause lymphoedema?
Lymph nodes may need to be removed
Radiation may damage and scar the lymph nodes
Tumours can grow in and around the nodes and vessels
What type of lymphoedema is most common?
Secondary lymphoedema
What are the 4 stages of lymphoedema?
Stage 0 - Latent
Stage 1 - Reversible
Stage 2 - Irreversible
Stage 3 - Lymphostatic elephantiasis