Lymphatic System

Question 1

What does the lymphatic system consist of?

Answer 1

Lymphatic vessels and Lymphatic organs

Question 2

What are the 3 general functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 2

Returning excess tissue fluid to the bloodstream, absorbing fats from the digestive tract and transporting them to the bloodstream, and defending the body against disease.

Question 3

Describe lymphatic vessels

Answer 3

Form a one way system that begins with lymphatic capillaries.

Question 4

Describe lymphatic capillaries

Answer 4

Found in most areas of the body, small close-ended vessels with thin walls. They then merge into larger vessels which carry the lymph into the thoracic and lymphatic ducts.

Question 5

What can happen when the lymph vessels aren’t working well?

Answer 5

Edema which is localized swelling cause by accumulation of fluids in the tissues. Too much fluid has been made and not enough is being drained.

Question 6

Describe lymph nodes

Answer 6

Lymph vessels lead to many lymph nodes. These act as fillers for foreign objects or pathogens in lymph. There are white blood cell types there to fight foreign objects.

Question 7

Where does lymph end up?

Answer 7

Vessels merge before entering one of two ducts…

Thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct.

Question 8

Describe the thoracic duct

Answer 8

Returns lymph collected from body below thorax, left arm, left side of head and neck into the left subclavian vein.

Question 9

Describe the right lymphatic duct

Answer 9

Returns lymph from the right arm and right side of head and neck into the right subclavian vein.

Question 10

What do lymphoid organs contain?

Answer 10

Lymphocytes which are white blood cells involved in adaptive immunity.

Question 11

What are the 2 types of lymphoid organs?

Answer 11

Primary lymphoid organs and secondary lymphoid organs

Question 12

Describe primary lymphoid organs

Answer 12

Where lymphocytes develop and mature. In red bone marrow and thymus.

Question 13

Describe secondary lymphoid organs

Answer 13

Where lymphocytes become activated. In spleen and lymph nodes.

Question 14

Describe red bone marrow

Answer 14

Network of stem cells which develop into various white blood cells. The blood cells enter bloodstream at sinuses. B cells remain and mature in the bone marrow and T cells migrate from the bone marrow and reach the thymus.

Question 15

Describe the thymus

Answer 15

Soft, bi-lobed organ located between the trachea and the sternum. It is the site of T cell maturation.

Question 16

After leaving the primary organs where will the B and T cells go?

Answer 16

They will go to the secondary organs the spleen and/or lymph nodes.

Question 17

Describe the spleen.

Answer 17

Located in the upper left side of abdominal cavity. It is mostly red pulp, where macrophages remove old and defective blood cells. Also contain white pulp, lymphatic tissues where lymphocytes can react to foreign invaders.

Question 18

Describe lymph nodes.

Answer 18

Small, ovoid structures located along lymphatic vessels, through which lymph will pass. It is divided into nodules and sinuses.

Question 19

Describe the lymph node nodules.

Answer 19

Each nodule is packed with B and T cells. Macrophages engulf pathogens as lymph moves through. Viruses, bacteria and debris in lymph are removed.