Lymphatic System Flashcards
Lymph
Excess tissue fluid and plasma proteins
Functions of the lymph system
Return escaped fluids back to the blood
Body defense and resistance to disease
Lymphatic vessels are what kind of system?
A one way system that flows only toward the heart
How are lymphatic vessels similar to cardiovascular veins?
Thin walls
Valves
Low pressure, pump less system
Lymph transport is aided by:
Milking action of skeletal muscles
Thoracic pressure changes due to breathing
Smooth muscle in lymphatic walls
Lymphatic capillaries are anchored to connective tissue by:
Filaments
Walls of lymphatic capillaries overlap to form:
Flaplike mini valves
What does higher pressure outside mini valves do?
Opens them
What does higher pressure on the inside of mini valves do?
Closes them
Right lymphatic duct
Drains right arm, right side of head, and thorax
Thoracic duct
Drains lymph from rest of body
When do lymph nodes filter lymph?
Before it is returned to blood
What is filtered from lymph
Bacteria/viruses
Cell debris
Cancer cells
Defense cells within nodes:
Macrophages (pac men)
Lymphocytes (B= antibodies, T= killers)
Lymph flow through nodes
Afferent vessels -> sinuses -> efferent vessels
