Lymphatics and lung Flashcards
What is the purpose of the lymphatic system?
To return fluids from the tissues to the bloodstream and to detect pathogens & activate immune response.
True or False: When blood flows through systemic capillaries, a small amount of fluid is lost to the tissue spaces, but too much fluid loss is a bad thing.
True
What do lymphoid organs and tissues house?
Phagocytic cells and lymphocytes.
How many liters of fluid do lymphatic vessels return to the vascular system per day?
Approximately 3 liters.
What does the return of excess tissue fluid to the vascular system prevent?
Edema.
What leads to too much interstitial fluid?
Swelling.
What are the lymphatic organs?
Lymph nodes, thymus gland, spleen.
Where does lymph from the right side of the thorax, neck, and head dump into?
Right lymphatic duct and then right internal jugular vein.
Where does lymph from the abdomen, pelvis, legs, and left side of thorax, neck, and head dump into?
Thoracic duct and then left internal jugular vein.
What is the appearance of a normal lymph node?
Round/oval in shape, with an echogenic central fatty hilum and a hypoechoic perimeter.
True or False: Lymph nodes length does not matter/play a role in any kind of abnormality.
True
Lymph node length does not matter, only the height (A/P diameter) matters. Anything typically over 1 cm would be abnormal.
What is the appearance of a malignant node?
Rounded, with no echogenic hilum.
Where are lymph nodes found?
- Neck
- Axilla/breast
- Retroperitoneum
- Groin/upper thigh.
What is the largest lymphoid organ in the body?
Spleen.
Where is the thymus found?
Inferior neck and superior thorax.
What is the function of the thymus?
Maturation of T cells — plays a role in immune response.
With which age group does the thymus mainly function?
Fetus & infancy.
True or False: The thymus is the only lymphoid organ that does not directly fight foreign antigens.
True.
What do the lungs occupy in the thoracic cavity?
The entire thoracic cavity except for the mediastinum.
What shape are each lung?
Cone-shaped and suspended within its own pleural cavity.
What is the fluid surrounding the lungs called?
Pleural effusion.
True or False: The pleura is a double wall sac that allows the lungs to move freely against other structures.
True.
How many lobes does the left lung have?
2 (superior and inferior).
What separates the left lung lobes?
Oblique fissure.
