Lymphatic System Flashcards
What is lymph?
Colorless watery fluid flowing through your lymphatic system
What does lymph do?
Carries nutrients and proteins to your cells and tissues.
What are the two main functions of the lymphatic system?
- Return excess tissue fluid to the blood
- Defend against harmful organisms and chemicals
Give examples of organs in the lymphatic system.
- Tonsils
- Spleen
What are the two types of defense in immunity?
- Nonspecific
- Specific
Compare Intra-, Inter-, and Extracellular fluid.
Intra-: fluid inside cells.
Inter-: fluid between cells.
Extra-: fluid outside cells.
Give one example of intra-, inter-, and extracellular fluds.
Intra-: e.g. cytoplasm
Inter-: e.g. oxygen and nutrients
Extra-: e.g. in blood
What are lymphatic vessels?
(aka lymphatics)
Tube-like structures that carry lymph away from the tissues, back into the blood’s circulation.
What do lymphatic vessels ultimately do?
Deliver lymph into the right lymphatic duct, and the thoracic duct.
What is a lacteal?
A lymphatic vessel that transports fats.
Where are lacteals found?
At the center of the villi of the small intestine.
What are lymph nodes?
Oval-shaped structures located along the lymphatics.
What’s the difference between afferent and efferent lymphatics?
Afferent: Carries lymph into the lymph nodes.
Efferent: Carries lymph away from the lymph nodes.
What is the thymus gland?
Where is the thymus gland located?
Behind the sternum in the mediastinum.
