Module 5.1 - Anatomy of the Lymphatic System

Question 2

What are the 3 main functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 2

vessels take up excess fluid and return it to the blood stream, capillaries absorb fats and return them to the blood stream, and helps with immunity

Question 3

The lymphatic system is closely connected with what other body system?

Answer 3

the cardiovascular system

Question 4

What does the lymphatic system consist of?

Answer 4

lymphatic vessels and lymphoid organs

Question 5

What is the location of Lymphatic (lymph) vessels?

Answer 5

vessels of the lymphatic system that extend throughout most sections of the body carrying lymph. they arise from the lymphatic capillaries and merge together at ducts.

Question 6

What is the structure of lymphatic vessels?

Answer 6

they have one-way flow valves similar in structure to the large veins of the cardiovascular system and function to return lymph by skeletal muscle contraction

Question 7

What does the fluid bathing the cells assist in?

Answer 7

assists the capillaries in delivering glucose, oxygen, salts, amino acids, and other nutrients

Question 8

What is the general direction of lymph flow?

Answer 8

interstitial fluid -> lymphatic capillaries -> lympathic vessels -> ducts -> subclavian veins

Question 9

lymph

Answer 9

excess tissue fluid that enters the lymphatic capillaries

Question 10

Where do lymphatic vessels merge before entering venous circulation?

Answer 10

the thoracic (left lympathic) and right lymphatic duct

Question 11

Where are the lymphatic ducts located?

Answer 11

in the shoulder region

Question 12

What areas do each of the ducts drain?

Answer 12

The larger thoracic duct - both lower extremities, the abdomen, the left arm, and the left side of head/neck. The right lymphatic duct - the right arm, the right side of head/neck, and the right thoracic area

Question 13

What are the lymphoid organs?

Answer 13

lymph nodes, the spleen, the thymus gland, and the tonsils

Question 14

lymph node

Answer 14

hundreds found at junctions of lymphatic vessels are encapsulated in a fibrous connective tissue. Have many incoming and fewer outgoing lympathic vessels

Question 15

afferent vessels

Answer 15

Incoming vessels that flow through a network of sinuses that contain cells

Question 16

efferent vessels

Answer 16

lymph flows out of the lymph node through these

Question 17

What are nodules and what do they contain?

Answer 17

open spaces that divide in the interior of lymph node. contain lymphocytesandmacrophages

Question 18

What function do the lymph nodes serve?

Answer 18

act as a filtering center, which rid the flowing lymph of infectious organisms and other debris

Question 19

How do nodules filter lymph?

Answer 19

it passes through a series of sinuses (cortical, subcapsular, and medullary)

Question 20

How/where are lymph nodes located?

Answer 20

they tend to be grouped together in regions of the body, particularly the groin andaxilla(armpit) regions.

Question 21

The spleen is in what region of the body?

Answer 21

upper-left abdominal region

Question 22

What is the function of the spleen?

Answer 22

extracts old or defective blood cells and platelets. also removes debris, foreign matter, bacteria, viruses, and toxins from the blood

Question 23

After blood exits the spleen via the splenic vein, where does it travel?

Answer 23

the hepatic portal vein

Question 24

What is the structure of the spleen?

Answer 24

encapsulated in a thin, fragile fibrous connective tissue with an incoming splenic artery and an outgoing splenic vein, with an interior divdided into lobules

Question 25

lobules

Answer 25

open spaces in interior of spleen that contain lymphocytes and macrophages

Question 26

Describe general blood flow of the spleen

Answer 26

blood enters via the splenic artery, exits via the splenic vein and enters the hepatic portal vein

Question 27

hepatic portal vein

Answer 27

aka the hepatic portal system carries blood from veins of spleen, intestines, stomach, and pancreas to the liver where it is detoxyfied before returning to general circulation

Question 28

What is the location and function of the thymus?

Answer 28

located on the anterior surface of the heart. secretes thymosin and thymopoietin hormones, which enable T cells to mature and function

Question 29

T cells

Answer 29

aka T lymphocytes, attack cancerous or infected body cells

Question 30

How does the thalamus change with age?

Answer 30

prominent in newborns and becomes larger during childhood when it is most active. Growth stops during adolescence, and the gland withers away to a mass of fibrous-fatty tissue by old age

Question 31

What and where are the tonsils?

Answer 31

aka palatine tonsils are small group of lymphoid organs located in the lateral posterior portions of the throat

Question 32

What is the function of the tonsils?

Answer 32

gather and destroy bacteria inhaled in the air or food

Question 33

crypts

Answer 33

channels in lymphoid tissue which trap bacteria and foreign matter, from there they work their way into lymphoid tissue where most are destroyed.