Transcript Lymphatic System

Notes
Lymphatic System
CERVICAL
NODES
LYMPH
VESSELS
Chapter 37
Section 2
AXILLARY
NODES
DIAPHRAGM
THYMUS
LYMPH
VESSELS
SPLEEN
INGUINAL
NODES
LYMPH
VESSELS
Crucial in helping the body ward off
disease and heal from injury
Advanced infection from
poor circulation
Function
1. Collects fluid lost from the blood and
returns it to the circulatory system
– More than three liters of fluid leave the
capillaries each day
– This continually bathes the cells
– There is twice as much lymph in the body as
blood
– Lymph is dumped back into the circulatory
system thru the superior vena cava
Functions cont’d
2. Filters fluid to rid it of bacteria and other
pathogens
Lymph Capillaries in the Tissue Spaces
Tissue cells
Lymph capillary
Tissue spaces
Arteriole
Tissue fluid
Venule
Lymphatic vessel
More Functions
3. Collects fat from the small intestine and
delivers it to the circulatory system
4. Generates and stores WBC’s called
lymphocytes that fight infection
Notice
the
location
of the
nodes
Components of the Lymphatic
System
A. Lymph – fluid collected in lymph vessels
Clear straw colored fluid – same basic
component as plasma
B. Lymph vessels – structures that collect
lymph and deliver it back to the circulatory
system
– Valves within keep the lymph moving in one
direction
Wall of lymphatic
capillary
Tissue cell
Opening into
lymph vessel
Tissue fluid
C. Lymph nodes =
series of cleaning
filters
Lymph moves slowly
through the nodes
WBC’s attack and
engulf bacteria and
pathogens in nodes
Location of vessels and
nodes
The lymphatic system is closely
linked to several other systems
But
especially
to the
Circulatory
System
Nodes swell when large numbers of
pathogens are trapped
The swelling can cause pain – like a sore
throat
Have you ever had tonsillitis?
Did it
look
like
this?
Edema
Swelling of tissues due to excess fluid
accumulation
 Caused by disease or injury


Elephantiasis
– a condition of extreme edema that occurs
when lymph vessels become blocked by
filarial worms.