Lymphatics Flashcards
(40 cards)
What type of fluid does the lymphatic system return to the body circulation?
Extracellular fluid
What are the 3 types of extracellular fluid?
- Plasma- colourless fluid that seeps through capillary walls
- Interstitial- plasma that circulates among body tissue
- Lymph- interstitial fluid drained out of tissue and enters the lymphatic ducts
How does the lymphatic system differ from the circulatory system? (3)
- Lack of pump
- Travel in one direction
- Contains lymph nodes
What system does the lymphatic system course along?
Circulatory system
What does the lymphatic system contain?
Capillaries, vessels, ducts and nodes through out body
What is a capillary?
Blind ended structures in the interstitial places, single endothelial layer
What vessels drain into deep lymphatics?
Superficial vessels at subcutaneous level
When do the deep vessels pass through the lump nodes?
On their way to the chest
When does the lymph re-enter the bloodstream?
In the chest
Describe a lymph node
Bean-shaped (ovoid) accumulations of lymph tissue scattered along the lymphatic vessel
What is the normal size of a lymph node?
1mm to 1-2cm
Does the lymph node have a cortex
Connective tissue capsule
Refer to diagram on pg 5 for picture of lymph node
Refer to pg 5
Do the afferent vessels enter or exit lymph node?
Enter
What is the route the afferent ? take? What do they do?
- Carry lymph through sinuses
- Filter and destroy bacteria and malignant cells
- Germinal centers (sponge like centers)
What are the lymph sinuses lined with?
Phagocytic cells
What is the job of the germinal centres?
Produce lymphocytes
Empty into the lymph prior to leaving the node
Do the efferent vessels enter or exit the lymph node?
Exit
Are lymph nodes the primary site of dx?
No
Where are secondary diseases seen?
Within systemic infections and many neoplasms
Where are 2 areas of node bearing areas within the retroperitoneum?
- Iliac and hypogastric region- pelvis
2. Para-aortic- upper retroperitoneum
Lymph chains follow the path of what 3 structures?
- Thoracic aorta
- Abdominal aorta
- Iliac arteries
What other structures contain lymph tissue? (3)
- Tonsils- protect oral region
- Thymus- produce antibodies before puberty and manufacture lymphocytes
- Spleen- filter blood and produce lymphocytes
Name the groups of nodes and their specific location (4)
Axillary- upper limbs
Cervical- neck
Inguinal- lower limbs
Intestinal nodes- digestion
