Lymphatic System Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is lymph?
Lymph is the fluid transported within lymph vessels.
It contains water, dissolved solutes, small proteins, and foreign material.
What are the main functions of the lymphatic system?
- Transports and houses lymphocytes and other immune cells
- Aids the cardiovascular system by returning excess fluid to venous blood
This helps maintain fluid balance, blood volume, and blood pressure.
What are the components of the lymphatic system?
- Lymph vessels
- Lymphoid tissues
- Lymphoid organs
These components work together to facilitate lymph transport and immune function.
What is the characteristic composition of lymph?
- Water
- Dissolved solutes
- Small proteins
- Foreign material (debris, pathogens, cancer)
Approximately 15% of interstitial fluid is absorbed into the lymphatic system.
Where are lymphatic capillaries located?
Lymphatic capillaries are interspersed around most blood capillaries, absent in avascular tissues, red marrow, spleen, and CNS.
They are small, closed-ended vessels that absorb interstitial fluid.
What mechanism helps move lymph into lymphatic capillaries?
Increased hydrostatic pressure within the interstitial fluid.
This pressure pushes interstitial fluid into the lymphatic capillaries.
What is the route of lymph transport within the lymphatic system?
Capillaries → vessels → trunks → ducts → subclavian vein.
This pathway illustrates how lymph returns to the cardiovascular system.
What are lymphatic trunks and their types?
- Jugular trunks
- Subclavian trunks
- Bronchomediastinal trunks
- Intestinal trunks
- Lumbar trunks
These trunks drain specific regions of the body.
What is the function of lymph nodes?
Filter lymph and remove unwanted substances.
They are oval, encapsulated structures located along the pathways of lymph vessels.
What are the primary lymphatic structures?
- Red bone marrow
- Thymus
These are involved in the formation and maturation of lymphocytes.
What are secondary lymphatic structures?
- Lymph nodes
- Spleen
- Tonsils
- Lymphatic nodules
- MALT
These structures house lymphocytes and initiate immune responses.
Where is red bone marrow located?
In flat bones of the skull, ribs, sternum, vertebrae, ossa coxae, heads of humerus, and femur.
It is the site of hematopoiesis, producing blood’s formed elements.
What is the role of the thymus?
Involved in T-lymphocyte maturation.
The thymus is a bilobed organ located above the heart.
What are the main regions of a lymph node?
- Cortex
- Medulla
The cortex contains lymphoid nodules, while the medulla contains medullary cords.
What are the components of the spleen?
- Red pulp
- White pulp
The spleen filters blood and is involved in immune responses.
What do MALT and Peyer patches have in common?
Both are associated with mucosal immunity.
MALT refers to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, while Peyer patches are specific clusters of lymphoid tissue in the intestines.
What is lymphedema?
Accumulation of interstitial fluid due to interference with lymphatic drainage.
It can cause swelling and pain, and may be caused by blockage of lymph vessels.
What is lymphoma?
Malignant neoplasm from lymphoid structures.
Symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, night sweats, fever, and weight loss.
What is the primary function of the spleen?
Filters and monitors blood
The spleen does not filter lymph.
What are the two main types of pulp in the spleen?
- White pulp
- Red pulp
What is contained in the red pulp of the spleen?
- Erythrocytes
- Platelets
- Macrophages
- B-lymphocytes
What is the function of the white pulp in the spleen?
Monitors blood for foreign materials and bacteria
What are splenic cords?
Cells and reticular connective tissue in red pulp
What are splenic sinusoids?
Very permeable capillaries in the red pulp
