Transcript Structures of the lymphatic system

Lymphatic System
Function and Structures of
the Lymph System

1.
2.

1.
Two functions of the lymphatic system:
Absorb fats and vitamins from digestive system
Return waste products and extra fluid to
circulatory system
Structures of the lymphatic system:
Lymph fluid, lymph vessels, lymphatic capillaries,
lacteals, lymph nodes, right lymphatic duct,
thoracic duct, cisterna chyli, tonsils, spleen,
thymus,
Structures of the
Lymphatic System

Lymph fluid – thin watery fluid which forms when
plasma diffuses into tissue space

Lymph vessels – located throughout the body in
almost all of the tissues that have blood vessels


Lymphatic capillaries – small, open-ended lymph
vessels that act like drainpipes



have valves, always flow toward the thoracic (chest) cavity
These pick up lymph at tissues throughout the body
One-way valves
Lacteals – specialized lymphatic capillaries located
in the small intestine and pick up lipids or fats
Structures of the
Lymphatic System

Lymph nodes – located all over the body usually in groups
or clusters





Right lymphatic duct –



Location of lymphocyte production
Nodes filter lymph fluid of harmful substances
Also produce lymphocytes (WBC) and antibiotics
Swollen lymph nodes may mean there is a disease process
Short tube that receives all of the purified lymph from the right side of the
head and neck, right chest, and right arm
Empties into the right subclavian vein, returning the purified blood back to
the system
Thoracic duct – much larger tube


Drains the lymph from the rest of the body
Empties into the left subclavian vein
Structures of the
Lymphatic System

Cisterna chyli – an
enlarged pouch-like
structure located at
the start of the
thoracic duct
 Serves as a
storage area for
purified lymph
before it returns
to the blood
stream
Structures of the
Lymphatic System
Other lymphatic tissues:



Tonsils – masses of lymphatic tissue located
in back of mouth on sides of throat
Spleen – located beneath the left side of the
diaphragm




filters blood
makes lymphocytes & monocytes
removes old RBC’s
Thymus – located above the heart behind the
sternum

important in immune and endocrine systems
Pathology of the
Lymphatic System

Adenitis (aden/o + it is) or Lymphadenitis (lymphaden/o + -itis) inflammation of lymph nodes

Lymphadenopathy – (lymphaden/o + -pathy)
disease of lymph node

Lymphedema – (lymph/o + -edema) swelling from
lymph fluid accumulation

Splenomegaly – (splen/o + -megaly)
enlargement of the spleen
www.hoslink.com/haematology/splenomegaly.jpg
Pathology of the
Lymphatic System

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma



Lymphangitis



Chronic, malignant disease of the lymph nodes
Most common form of lymphoma
Inflammation of lymphatic vessels
Characteristic red streaks
Tonsilitis


Inflammation or infection of the tonsils
Most cases are viral