3.3 Introduction to the Lymphatics

Which of the following are the main components of the lymphatic system?

Lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, and lymph

The lymphatic system is primarily responsible for:

Returning interstitial fluid to the bloodstream

Lymph is formed as a result of:

Filtration of plasma through capillary walls

Which pressure pushes water out of the capillary into the interstitial space?

Hydrostatic pressure

Which pressure pulls water back into the capillary?

Osmotic (oncotic) pressure

On the arterial side of a capillary bed, which pressure is dominant?

Hydrostatic pressure

On the venous side of a capillary bed, which pressure is dominant?

Oncotic pressure

The Starling Hypothesis explains:

Movement of fluids between capillaries and tissues

Capillaries are impermeable to which substance?

Proteins

When fluid accumulates in the interstitial space and is not removed, it causes:

Edema

The lymphatic system acts as an “overflow system” to:

Drain tissue fluid and leaked plasma proteins

The lymphatic system removes debris from:

Cellular decomposition and infection

What does the lymphatic system filter?

Bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells

The lymphatic system assists the digestive system by:

Transporting dietary fats

Lymph nodes filter lymph to:

Destroy pathogens

The lymphatic system prevents swelling by:

Maintaining interstitial fluid balance

A buildup of interstitial fluid causes:

Edema

When protein concentration increases in the interstitial space, what occurs?

Reverse osmosis → edema

The lymphatic system contributes to immune defense by:

Producing antibodies and filtering antigens

Metastasis through the lymphatic system happens because:

Cancer cells travel and lodge in lymph nodes

Lymphatic plexuses are:

Capillary networks with blind ends

Lymphatic capillaries lack:

Basement membrane

Lymph resembles blood plasma but lacks:

Red blood cells

Lymphatic vessels are not found in:

Brain and spinal cord

The vessels that carry lymph toward a node are:

Afferent vessels

The vessels that carry lymph away from a node are:

Efferent vessels

Afferent lymphatic vessels are:

Multiple in number

How many efferent vessels leave a lymph node?

One

Blockage of an efferent lymphatic vessel causes:

Lymph accumulation and swelling

Lymphatic trunks are formed by the merging of:

Lymphatic vessels

How many main lymphatic ducts are in the body?

2

The thoracic duct drains:

Entire left side and lower right quadrant

The thoracic duct empties into the:

Left venous angle

The right lymphatic duct drains:

Right upper quadrant (head, neck, thorax, right arm)

The right lymphatic duct drains into the:

Right venous angle

The cisterna chyli is located around:

L1–L2

The cisterna chyli is formed by the convergence of:

Lumbar and intestinal trunks

The intestinal lymph trunk carries:

Chyle (fat-rich lymph)

The right lymphatic duct receives lymph from which three trunks?

Jugular, subclavian, bronchomediastinal

The thoracic duct begins as a:

Dilated sac (cisterna chyli)

The primary lymphoid organs are responsible for:

Lymphocyte maturation

The thymus is the site of:

T-cell maturation

The red bone marrow produces and matures:

B-cells

Secondary lymphoid organs include all EXCEPT:

Thymus

What are the types of lymphatic trunks?

Jugular lymph trunk, Subclavian lymph trunk, Brochomediastinal lymph trunk, Lumbar lymph trunk, Intestinal lymph trunk

Primary lymphoid organs

Produces lymphocytes

What are the primary lymphoid organs

Bone marrow and thymus.

What makes up the secondary lymphoid organs?

Lymph nodes, spleen, tonsil, appendix

The spleen filters:

Lymph

The tonsils are examples of:

Secondary lymphoid organs

B-cells function by:

Producing antibodies to neutralize pathogen

T-cells function by:

Killing infected cells directly

Superficial lymphatic vessels are located:

In the subcutaneous tissue

Deep lymphatic vessels accompany:

Deep arteries and veins

Movement of lymph in deep vessels is aided by:

Skeletal muscle contraction

Both superficial and deep lymphatic vessels:

Merge proximally

Superficial lymph nodes follow:

Cutaneous venous drainage

Anything outside the deep fascia is considered:

Superficial

Deep lymphatic nodes follow:

Muscular arteries

Lymphatic vessels contain:

One-way valves

The function of these valves is to:

Prevent backflow of lymph

Lymphatic drainage mirrors:

Venous circulation

Enlargement of lymph nodes may indicate:

Infection or disease

Cancerous lymph nodes are typically:

Hard and painless

Infected lymph nodes are usually:

Painful and swollen

Lymphedema occurs when:

Lymph fails to drain

Surgical removal of lymph nodes may result in:

Lymphedema

Lymphatic spread of oral cancer is important in:

Dental diagnosis and treatment planning

In dentistry, swollen submandibular nodes may suggest:

Oral infection

Metastasis of cancer through the lymphatic system often occurs because:

Tumor cells enter lymphatic vessels and lodge in nodes

Lymph node palpation is used to detect:

Infection or metastasis

Chronic lymphatic obstruction can lead to:

Persistent swelling

The lymphatic system returns excess interstitial fluid to the:

Venous system

Which region drains into the thoracic duct?

Left leg

Which region drains into the right lymphatic duct?

Right arm and right thorax

Chyle is:

Mixture of lymph and absorbed fats

The lymphatic system works closely with which other system?

Circulatory system

The absence of lymphatic vessels in the CNS is compensated by:

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage

A dentist palpating cervical lymph nodes is checking for:

Oral infections or cancer spread

The lymphatic system contributes to homeostasis by:

Maintaining fluid and immune balance

Damage to lymphatic vessels during oral surgery can result in:

Swelling and delayed healing

The lymphatic system helps prevent systemic infection by:

Filtering pathogens before they reach circulation

During a procedure involving the posterior mediastinum, a surgeon accidentally injures a dilated sac located at the right of the abdominal aorta around the level of L1–L2. Which structure was most likely damaged?

Cisterna chyli

While ligating the left subclavian vein, a surgeon notes a small duct draining into the junction of the left subclavian and internal jugular veins. Which body region does this duct primarily drain?

Left upper quadrant and both lower quadrants

An obstruction of the right lymphatic duct would most likely lead to edema in which of the following regions?

Right upper limb

While repairing a laceration in the left lower limb, a surgeon notes persistent edema that fails to resolve. Which lymphatic structure is most likely obstructed?

Cisterna chyli

A patient presents with swelling in the right arm and right side of the neck following lymph node dissection. Which lymphatic trunks are most likely affected?

Right jugular, right subclavian, and right bronchomediastinal trunks

A biopsy of a cervical lymph node shows metastatic cancer cells. Through which structure did the cancer most likely spread to reach this node?

Lymphatic vessels

During a thoracic surgery, the thoracic duct is accidentally cut. Which of the following complications is most likely to occur?

Accumulation of chyle in the thoracic cavity

While studying capillary exchange, a student learns that hydrostatic pressure is highest on which side of the capillary bed?

Arterial

Which of the following pressures is primarily responsible for pulling fluid back into the capillary at the venous end?

Oncotic (osmotic) pressure

A patient develops generalized edema following liver failure. Which of the following mechanisms best explains this finding?

Decreased plasma protein concentration

While examining a tissue sample, a pathologist notes a network of thin-walled vessels lacking basement membranes. These structures most likely represent:

Lymphatic capillaries

During axillary lymph node dissection, the surgeon is careful to preserve which type of lymphatic vessel to prevent severe upper limb swelling?

Efferent lymphatic vessel

While performing neck dissection, the surgeon notes enlarged lymph nodes along the jugular vein. These nodes primarily drain into which lymphatic trunk?

Jugular trunk

The thoracic duct drains into the venous circulation at which location?

Left venous angle

A surgeon accidentally ligates the intestinal lymph trunk. Which of the following substances would most likely accumulate in the abdomen?

Chyle

A patient presents with swelling of the left leg and abdomen but not the right arm. Which structure is most likely obstructed?

Thoracic duct

Which lymphoid organ is responsible for the maturation of T-lymphocytes?

Thymus

Which lymphoid structure filters blood rather than lymph?

Spleen