Lymphatic System Flashcards
(127 cards)
What are the three functions of the lymphatic system?
- Fluid recovery
- immunity
- lipid absorption
What percent of fluid is filtered through the lymphatic system daily?
15% 2/4L
___ in the small intestines absorb dietary lipids
Lacteals
What is lymph?
- Clear liquid, similar to plasma minus the proteins
- originates as extracellular fluid drawn into lymphatic capillaries
What four structures make up the lymphatic system?
- Lymph
- Lymphatic vessels
- Lymphatic tissues
- Lymphatic organs
What is the function of lymphatic vessels?
transport the lymph
What is the basic composition of lymphatic tissues?
aggregates of lymphocytes and macrophages
What is unique about the structure of lymphatic capillaries?
they are closed at one end
Where can lymphatic capillaries be found?
nearly all tissues of the body minus cartilage, corneas, bone and bone marrow
What is the composition of lymphatic capillary walls?
- consists of overlapping endothelial cells
- tethered by protein filaments
- They have large gaps to allow bacteria and cells to enter
- They have valves that open when pressure is to high
When lymphatic capillaries converge what do they form?
Lymphatic vessels
What are lymphatic vessels?
Large collecting vessels that are composed of three layers similar to blood vessels
What are the three layers of a large lymphatic valve?
– Tunica interna: endothelium and valves – Tunica media: elastic fibers, smooth muscle – Tunica externa: thin outer layer
When lymphatic vessels converge what do they form?
lymphatic trunks
How many lymphatic trunks or trunk pairs does they body have?
6
5 pairs and 1 single
What are the two lymphatic collecting ducts and where do they empty into in the body?
- The right Lymphatic duct empties into the right subclavian
- The thoracic duct empties into the left subclavian
What parts of the body drains into each of the lymphatic ducts?
- Right lymphatic duct: Right arm, right side of the head and thorax.
- Thoracic duct: everywhere else
What is the prominent sac that the thoracic duct begins as?
the cisterna chyli
How does lymph flow in the body?
- slower than venous blood because of no heart pump
- uses similar pumps as veins like the skeletal muscle pump
also from rhythmic contractions of the vessels
What are the 6 lymphatic cells?
NTBMDR
- Natural killer cells
- T Lymphocytes
- B Lymphocytes
- Macrophages
- Dendritic cells
- Reticular cells
What is the function of Natural killer cells?
They are large lymphocytes that attack and destroy bacteria, infected cells, transplanted tissue, and cancer
What is the function of B lymphocytes?
they activate and become plasma cells that produce antibodies
What is the function of macrophages?
- they mature from monocytes, they are large phagocytic cells that eat debris, foreign matter, bacteria, dead cells
- They are also APC’s or antigen presenting cells
What is a Antigen presenting cell? (APC)
A cell that presents antigens found to T cells which then alerts the immune system to a threat