Chapter 21: The Lymphatic System
List three basic functions of the lymphatic system:
1. Transport and house lymphocytes and other immune cells
2. Return excess fluid in body tissues to blood to maintain blood volume
3. Absorption of fat and other substances from the digestive system with the help of
specialized vessels called lacteals.
List the components of the Lymphatic System:
Lymph vessels, lymphatic tissues and organs
Lymph is the fluid transported within lymph vessels
Composition of Lymph is most similar to _ interstitial fluid.
Outline the flow of Lymph in the Lymphatic System;
Lymph Lymphatic Capillaries Lymphatic vessels Lymph nodes lymphatic
trunk Lymphatic duct Drain into large veins of the body
Lymphatic capillaries differ from blood capillaries in two structural features which are
a. Blood capillaries carry blood from small arterioles to small venules.
Lymphatic capillaries carry lymphatic fluid from tissue to lymphatic venules.
b. In structure, lymph capillaries are slightly bigger in diameter but have thinner
walls than blood capillaries.
Lymphatic capillaries join together to form lymphatic vessels which resemble small
veins.
List the two mechanisms that help to move the lymph in the lymphatic vessels:
i. valves
ii. contraction of surrounding skeletal muscle during activity
The Lymph nodes function to filter lymph, remove unwanted substances.
After passing through the lymph nodes the lymphatic vessels converge to form larger
vessels called lymphatic trunk.
Indicate what part of the body is drained by each of the lymphatic trunks:
a. Jugular trunks drain lymph from head and neck
b. Subclavian trunks drain upper limbs, breasts, and superficial thoracic wall
The two major lymphatic ducts are right lymphatic duct and Thoracic duct.
_thoracic duct drains lymph into the left subclavian vein.
The right jugular, right subclavian and right bronchomediastinal trunks drain lymph
into the right lymphatic duct.
Differentiate between the primary and secondary lymphatic organs?
Primary lymphatic organs include the _thymus gland and the
Red bone marrow.
Describe the location of the thymus gland
– Located in mediastinum
Write down the function of the thymus gland
It assists the body with immune function and the development of antibodies .
The thymus is surrounded by a thin layer of connective tissue called capsule
Lobules are formed by _alveoli which are extensions of lumen.
Thymus gland degenerates with age.
Where are the lymph nodes located?
– along deep and superficial pathways of lymph vessels
Lymph enters the lymph node via the afferent lymphatic vessel and leaves via the
efferent lymphatic vessels.
Inner medulla of the lymph node is made up of
Medullary cords.
Lymph nodes function to filter lymph, remove unwanted substances..
Enlarged lymph nodes indicate a tonsil infection - adenoids.
Describe the location of the spleen in left upper abdominal quadrant.
Trabeculae subdivide the spleen into red and white pulp
White pulp is associated with diffuse lymphatic tissue and lymphatic nodules
surrounding the arteries within the spleen.
Red pulp is associated with veins and consists of splenic cords and venous sinuses
Splenic blood vessels enter and leave the spleen at the depression called hilum.
Describe the functions of the spleen:
Monitoring blood as it flows through the spleen
– The spleen filters and monitors blood (not lymph)
– White pulp monitors it for foreign materials and bacteria
– Macrophages in sinusoids of red pulp remove particles
In first 5 months of fetal life, spleen makes blood cells
– This function can be reactivated under certain conditions
What are tonsils?
are collections of lymphatic tissue
Tonsils provide protection against __pathogens.
Name the three major tonsils : palatine tonsils, pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) and lingual
tonsils
What are lymphatic nodules?
Clusters of lymphatic cells with some extracellular matrix
What are mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT)?
initiates immune responses to specific antigens encountered along all mucosal surfaces
What are Peyer's patches?
large collections of lymphatic nodules that form bulges in ileum wall
