Anatomy of lymphatic system Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are the functions of lymph?
It balances the cardiovascular balance & provides immunity.
How is the cardiovascular imbalance created?
Hydrostatic pressure forces more fluid out of arteries than is drawn back into veins by osmotic pressure, so there is excess interstitial fluid in tissues.
How does lymph fix the cardiovascular imbalance?
It drains the excess fluid.
How does lymph provide immunity?
Areas of lymphatic system (lymph nodes, spleen & peyer’s patches) are screening sites for infections.
Bone marrow produces immune cells.
Thymus is involved in the primary maturation of T cells.
Where does the lymphatic system drain?
Into the thoracic duct
What are lymph vessels made of and what is special about their structure?
Lymph vessels are made of epithelial cells but they have no basement membranes.
What helps to move lymph around?
Muscle pump lymph around the body.
Breathing creates pressures in abdominal & thoracic cavities that help to move lymph.
Lymph vessels have valves to prevent backflow of lymph.
Large lymph vessels have smooth muscles that help to move lymph.
State the 5 main groups of lymph and what they drain.
- Retropharyngeal group: drains the head.
- Axillary group: drains forelimbs & cranial mammary glands of bitch.
- Mediastinal group: drains thoracic cavity.
- Mesenteric group: drains abdominal organs.
- Iliac group: drains hindlimbs & pelvic area.
What is the role of the bone marrow in the lymphatic system?
Production of B & T cells + primary maturation of B cells.
What is the role of the thymus in the lymphatic system?
Primary maturation of T cells.
What is the role of the spleen in the lymphatic system?
Screening of blood to detect blood-borne infections + contains immune cells.
What is the role of peyer’s patch in the lymphatic system?
Take samples of gut environment to detect infections + have M-cells for phagocytosis of pathogens.
