Chapter Four: The Lymphatic System

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Chapter Four: The Lymphatic System, including vessels, nodes, organs, circulation, and types of edema.

Lymphatic Vessels

Vessels that begin in the tissues where lymphatic capillaries collect excess high-density tissue fluid and transport it through lymph nodes for repeated purification before emptying into the nearest vein.

Lymph Nodes

Collections of lymphatic cells situated along lymphatic vessels that produce lymphocytes and antibodies, and act as filters to remove impurities such as bacteria, dust, dead cells, and cancer cells from lymph.

Cervical Nodes

A group of lymph nodes located under the sternocleidomastoid muscle that defends and drains the head and neck.

Axillary Nodes

A group of lymph nodes located in the axillary fossa responsible for defending and draining the upper limb and breast.

Thoracic Nodes

A group of lymph nodes located in the mediastinum responsible for defending and draining the heart and lungs.

Aortic Nodes

A group of lymph nodes located on both sides of the aorta responsible for defending and draining the abdominal viscera.

Iliac Nodes

A group of lymph nodes located in the pelvis responsible for defending and draining the pelvic viscera.

Inguinal Nodes

A group of lymph nodes located in the inguinal fossa that drains and defends the lower limb and external genital organs.

The Spleen

A fist-sized, wedge-shaped organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen behind the stomach under ribs 9, 10, and 11 that stores blood, destroys worn-out red blood cells, and produces white blood cells.

External Surface of the Spleen

The smooth outer surface of the spleen that comes into direct contact with the diaphragm.

Internal Surface of the Spleen

The irregular inner surface of the spleen that makes contact with the stomach, colon, and left kidney.

The Thymus Gland

An endocrine gland of the lymphatic system located between the heart and sternum that produces a special type of lymphocyte, appearing very large in children before gradually atrophying in adults.

Tissue Fluid

Fluid filtered from blood plasma through capillaries that surrounds cells, supplying oxygen and nutrients and collecting carbon dioxide and metabolic waste products.

Lymphatic Circulation

A drainage network that begins with lymphatic capillaries that merge into vein-resembling vessels, passing through lymph nodes and eventually ending in the superior vena cava.

Edema

An abnormal accumulation and increase of tissue fluid that creates pressure in tissues and can disrupt functions such as gas exchange in the lungs or exert pressure on brain centers.

Cardiac Edema

Edema caused by heart failure, resulting in venous blood pooling and elevated capillary pressure that drives fluid into the legs and abdomen (ascites) in right heart failure, or into the lungs in left heart failure.

Renal Edema

Edema resulting from chronic kidney infections where plasma proteins are lost in urine, leading to a decrease in the osmotic pressure of plasma proteins.

Nutritional Edema

Edema caused by a dietary lack of protein substances, leading to a plasma protein deficiency and decreased osmotic pressure.

Localized Edema

Edema caused by local venous pressure or blockage—such as external vein pressure in pregnancy, internal clot obstruction, or portal vein fibrosis in schistosomiasis and liver cirrhosis.

Elephantiasis

A condition in which parasitic worms invade and block lymphatic vessels, preventing the return of lymph to the bloodstream and resulting in severe lymphatic edema.