Lymphatic Drainage of the Thorax Flashcards Preview

LSS 1 - Thorax Anatomy - Laz > Lymphatic Drainage of the Thorax > Flashcards

Flashcards in Lymphatic Drainage of the Thorax Deck (17)
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1
Q

How many lymph nodes are there in humans?

A

600-700

2
Q

Describe the arrangement of the lymphatics across the body. State where the lymphatics join the venous circulation.

A

Right upper quadrant drains into the right subclavian vein.

Other three quadrants all drain via the thoracic duct into the left subclavian vein.

3
Q

What is the size of a normal lymph node?

A

<2.5 cm

4
Q

What is a common cause of lymphadenopathy?

A

Infection

5
Q

What is lymph usually like?

A

Colourless and odourless

6
Q

How is lymph from the small intestines different? What is it called?

A

It is opaque and milky due to absorption of fats (chylomicrons)
It is called chyle

7
Q

What causes movement of lymph through the vessels?

A

Skeletal muscle contraction

Pulses in arteries

8
Q

What prevents backflow in the vessels?

A

Valves

9
Q

What three groups of lymph nodes does the thoracic wall drain to?

A

Parasternal (associated with internal thoracic arteries)
Intercostal
Diaphragmatic

10
Q

Which larger lymph vessels do these three groups of nodes drain to?

A

Parasternal - bronchomediastinal trunk
Upper intercostal - bronchomediastinal trunk
Lower intercostal - thoracic duct
Diaphragmatic - brachiocephalic nodes + aortic/lumbar part of the thoracic duct
Superficial - axillary and parasternal nodes

11
Q

Where does the thoracic duct start? State the vertebral level.

A

It begins with the cysterna chyli - L2

12
Q

Describe the path of ascension of the thoracic duct.

A

The thoracic duct ascends just to the right of midline, in between the aorta and the azygos vein. It crosses over to the left side at T5 and it then empties into the left subclavian vein.

13
Q

Where do the lymphatics in the lungs drain to?

A

Tracheobronchial nodes - this is the largest collection of lymph nodes in the body

14
Q

What do the tracheobronchial lymph vessels join with and what does this form?

A

Tracheobronchial lymph vessels join the parasternal and brachiocephalic lymph vessels to form the BRONCHOMEDIASTINAL trunk

15
Q

Describe the lymphatic drainage of the heart.

A

Lymphatic drainage of the heart follows the coronary arteries and drains into the:
Tracheobronchial nodes
Brachiocephalic nodes

16
Q

What do the nodes on the aorta receive lymph from?

A

Oesophagus, diaphragm, pericardium and liver

17
Q

Where do these nodes drain to?

A

Thoracic duct and posterior mediastinal nodes