Lymphatic system Flashcards
what are the functions of the lymphatic system?
tissue drainage
return of plasma and plasma proteins which escape from the circulatory system
absorbed fat transport from the gut
acquired immunity
how does the lymphatic system carry out the function of tissue drainage and return of plasma proteins?
drains escaped cell-free plasma (tissue fluid) from the extraceullular spaces back to the venous system
is there any evidence of the lymphatic system in the CNS?
No
what is lymph composed of?
fluid and plasma proteins only, gains lymphocytes as it flows through lymphatic capillaries and channels
where is fat added to lymph?
small intestine
how does lymph flow through lymphatic vessels?
similar to veins,relying upon muscle contraction, pressure changes and gravity
what prevents backflow of lymph through lymphatic vessels?
valves
what are lymph nodes?
the part of the lymphatic system where the immunological functions of lymph are located
where do groups of lymph nodes occur?
bases of major arterial trunks
what route does deep lymphatic drainage follow?
arterial supply
what route does superficial lymphatic drainage follow?
veins
are lymph nodes primary or secondary lymphoid tissue?
secondary
in a histological view of a lymph node, what are the germinal centres in the white pulp representative of?
secondary lymphoid follicules
50% of deep lymph nodes are located where?
the abdomen and pelvis
give an example of a superficial lymph node?
inguinal nodes located around the femoral triangle at the base of the lower limb
what are some examples of lymph node pathologies?
primary tumours (lymphomas), such as hodgkins lymphoma
secondary tumours as a result of metastasis
infections such as tuberculosis
inflammatory hyperplasia
what is the purpose of allowing lymph to pass through the germinal centres of the lymph node?
allows B and T cells to have any foreign antigens presented to them
what two ducts does all lymph drain into?
thoracic duct
right lymphatic duct
where does the right thoracic duct drain lymph from?
upper right quadrant of the body
where does the thoracic duct drain lymph from?
everywhere except the upper right quadrant of the body
what is each lymph node connected to?
an incoming and outgoing lymphatic vessel
what happens to the fats in lymph returning from the small intestine?
drain to the SVC and eventually the liver for absorption
what is hyperplasia?
the enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells, often as an initial stage in the development of cancer.
where does lymph enter back into the circulatory system?
at the thoracic duct
