Lymphatic anatomy session Flashcards
(96 cards)
What is lymph
lymphatic fluid is a clear or slightly yellowish fluid that flows through the lymphatic system
The system helps protect the body from infections and removes waste
Main components of lymph
water
white blood celks
proteins
fats
waste products
nutrients
Describe water in relation to lymph
largest part of lymph and helps transport nutrients and waste
Describe WBC in relation to lymph
special immune cells fight infection and keep body healthy
Describe proteins in relation to lymph
Contain antibodies which help the immune system recognize and fight harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses
Describe fats in relation to lymp
some fats from food enter the lymphatic system before the blood streem, this is important for digestion especially in species that eat a lot of fat
Describe waste products in relation to lymph
lymph carries away toxins, dead cells, and other waste materials from body tissues to keep body clean
Describe nutrients in relation to lymph
Transports, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to different parts of the body
why is lymph important
lymphatic fluid plays a makor role in immunity, fluid balance and nutrient transport, and it helps fight infections and maintain overall health
Lymph formation in relation to blood capillaries
Blood capillaries smallest blood vessels where exchange of gases, nutrients and waste occur
Due to hydrostatic pressure, some plasma leaks out into interstitial space
most of leaked fluid is reabsorbed but about 10% remains and becomes lymphatic fluid
remaining fluid contain proteins, waste products and immune cells and needs to be drained to prevent swelling(lumphoedema)
What is role of post-capillary venules in relation to lymph formation
Post capillary venules are small veins that collect blood from capillaries
They HELP REGULATE FLUID BALACNE by allowing some fluid to be reabsorbed to blood stream
Large molecules and excess fluid cant re-enter venules so taken up by lymphatic capillaries
What happens when lymphatic capillaries absorbed the excess interstitial fluid
now called lymph it is transported in the lymphatic vessels and the system returns this fluid to the blood stream via the veins maintaining overall fluid balance
Describe the origin of the lymphatic system from the interstitial space
network of initial lymphatics called capillary lymphatics COMPOSED OF BLIND- ENEDED TUBES, sacs or bulbs that move lymph centrally toward collecting lymphatic vessels
Where are lymphatic capillaries found
smallest lymphatic vessels found throughout body especially connective tissue
What are lymphatic capillaries
they have thin, overlapping endothelial cells that act as one- way valves allowing interstitial fluid to enter but not leave
Function of lymphatic capillaries
Absorbed excess fluid, proteins and immune cells from tissues
What are larger lymphatic vessels
Lymph from capillaries drains into larger lymphatic vessels, which have one-way valves to prevent backflow
difference of larger lymphatic vessels from blood vessels
they rely on muscle movement, breathing and body motion to push lymph forward
What are lymph nodes/ what leads to them
lymphatic vessels lead to lymph nodes, which act as filtration stations
Function of lymph nodes
Contain immune cells (macrophages and lymphocytes) that trap and destroy pathogens, toxins and foreign particles to clean lymph nodes
Where are major lymph nodes groups
neck, forelimb, chest, abdomen and hindlimb
What do lymphatic trunks do
after passing through lymph nodes, lymph drains into larger lymphatic trunks, which collect fluid from different regions of the body
Name 2 examples of lymphatic trunks and where they are
Left and right jugular trunk (head/neck), lumbar trunk(caudal abdomen, pelvic cavity and hindlimb)
What do lymphatic ducts do
Lymphatic trunks merge into 2 major lymphatic ducts, which return lymph to the blood stream