Lymphatic System Review

Flashcards covering key concepts of the lymphatic system, its functions, and related disorders for comprehensive exam preparation.

What structures make up the lymphatic system?

Lymph nodes, lymph vessels, lymph fluid, and lymphatic organs (tonsils, thymus, spleen).

What are lymphatic organs?

Tonsils, thymus, and spleen.

How does the lymphatic system circulate substances?

It depends on the pumping action of the heart.

What is the main purpose of the lymphatic system?

Returns excess tissue fluid to blood and defends the body against foreign invaders.

What is function #1 of the lymphatic system?

Drains excess interstitial fluid from tissues and returns it to circulating blood.

What is function #2 of the lymphatic system?

Absorbs and transports digested fats to venous circulation.

What is function #3 of the lymphatic system?

Produces lymphocytes and immune cells that protect the body from disease.

What types of invaders does the lymphatic system protect against?

Bacteria, viruses, cancerous cells, and other harmful substances.

What are lymph nodes?

Small masses of lymph tissue, also called lymph glands.

How are lymph nodes arranged in the body?

They occur in clusters or chains.

Where are the major lymph node groups located?

Cervical (neck), axillary (armpit), and inguinal (groin) regions.

What is the function of lymph nodes?

Filter lymph as it passes through lymph vessels.

Why do lymph nodes swell during infection?

Bacteria accumulate in nodes, causing swelling and tenderness.

What is the spleen?

A large organ similar to a lymph node that filters lymph.

What immune cells does the spleen manufacture?

Lymphocytes and monocytes.

What blood cells does the spleen destroy?

Old erythrocytes (red blood cells).

What does the spleen store?

New erythrocytes for release into the bloodstream when needed.

Is the spleen essential to life?

No, other organs can take over its function if removed.

What hormone does the thymus secrete?

Thymosin.

What does thymosin do?

Stimulates red bone marrow to produce T lymphocytes (T cells).

What is the role of T cells?

Attack and destroy foreign or abnormal cells.

What is the function of tonsils?

Filter lymph and destroy bacteria entering the mouth and throat.

What is the purpose of leukocytes?

Defend the body against foreign invaders and harmful agents.

What organ destroys bacteria entering the mouth and throat?

Tonsils.

What does tonsill/o mean?

Tonsil.

What does cervic/o mean?

Neck.

What does thym/o mean?

Thymus.

What does splen/o mean?

Spleen.

What does lymphangi/o mean?

Lymph vessel.

What does agglutin/o mean?

Clumping or gluing.

What does immun/o mean?

Immune, immunity, safe.

What does lymphaden/o mean?

Lymph gland (node).

What does aden/o mean?

Gland.

What does lymph/o mean?

Lymph.

What does phag/o mean?

Swallowing or eating.

What does -oma mean?

Tumor.

What does -phylaxis mean?

Protection.

What does -poiesis mean?

Formation or production.

What does thymoma mean?

Tumor of the thymus gland.

What does phagocyte mean?

Cell that swallows or ingests harmful substances.

What does lymphopoiesis mean?

Formation or production of lymph.

What does lymphangioma mean?

Tumor of a lymph vessel.

What does agglutination mean?

Process of clumping or gluing.

What does immunology mean?

Study of immunity.

What does splenomegaly mean?

Enlargement of the spleen.

What does lymphoma mean?

Tumor composed of lymph tissue.

What does lymphadenitis mean?

Inflammation of a lymph node.

What does lymphadenopathy mean?

Disease of lymph glands/nodes.

What does immunologist mean?

Specialist in the study of immunity.

What is lymphedema?

Abnormal accumulation of lymph, usually in the extremities.

What are early symptoms of lymphedema?

Pallor, weakness, fatigue, fever, weight loss, lymph node enlargement.

What happens to the limb in lymphedema?

It becomes swollen with thickened, fibrotic skin.

What are later complications of lymphedema?

Tachycardia, palpitations, increased infections.

What is the treatment for lymphedema?

Pain control and reducing swelling with exercise, massage, bandaging, compression garments.

When is surgery used for lymphedema?

If lymphatic obstruction must be corrected.

What is SLE?

Chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease.

What causes tissue damage in SLE?

Unusual antibodies that target the body’s own tissues.

What is the classic sign of SLE?

Butterfly-shaped facial rash (erythema).

What tissues are commonly inflamed in SLE?

Skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system.

What can worsen the SLE rash?

Sun exposure.

What are other symptoms of SLE?

Fever, fatigue, joint pain, malaise.

Who is most affected by SLE?

Young women in their 20s–40s.

What is the treatment for SLE?

Anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, antimalarials, immunosuppressants.

What is Kaposi sarcoma?

Lymphatic malignancy causing red or purple skin lesions.

What is the appearance of Kaposi sarcoma lesions?

Macules, papules, or nodules on skin and mucous membranes.

Where do Kaposi lesions usually begin?

Lower extremities.

Kaposi sarcoma is strongly associated with what infection?

HIV/AIDS.

What are treatment options for Kaposi sarcoma?

Radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, palliative care.

What is Hodgkin disease characterized by?

Painless enlargement of lymphoid tissue and Reed-Sternberg cells.

What does lymphocyte mean?

White blood cell responsible for immune responses.

What is mononucleosis caused by?

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

What is a pathogen?

Disease-producing microorganism (virus, bacteria, fungus).

What is bone marrow aspiration?

Withdrawal of marrow (usually pelvic bone) for microscopic evaluation.

Why is bone marrow aspiration used in lymphoma staging?

To see if cancer has spread to bone marrow.

What is ELISA?

Blood test that detects antibodies (used for HIV screening).

What is tissue typing?

Histocompatibility testing used for transplants and grafts.

What is lymphosarcoma?

Malignant tumor of connective tissue

What does lymphangiography mean?

Recording of lymph vessels.

What does lymphadenography mean?

Recording of lymph glands/nodes.

What does splenopexy mean?

Surgical fixation of the spleen.

What is bone marrow transplantation?

Infusion of healthy marrow stem cells after diseased marrow is destroyed.

What conditions can bone marrow transplant treat?

Aplastic anemia, leukemia, certain cancers.

What is lymphangiectomy?

Excision of one or more lymphatic vessels.

What do antivirals do?

Inhibit development of specific viruses (used for HIV/AIDS).

What do immunosuppressants do?

Suppress immune response to prevent organ rejection and slow autoimmune disease.