Lymphatic System Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards for lymphatic system lecture review.

Lymphatic System

Tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, and lymphatic vessels; helps immune system defend body against infectious agents and returns excess fluid to blood.

Lymph

Fluid that contains water, dissolved solutes, a small amount of protein, and sometimes cell debris, pathogens, or metastasized cancer cells.

Lymphatic Capillaries

Small, closed-ended vessels that absorb interstitial fluid and are interspersed around most blood capillaries.

Metastasis

The process of wandering cancerous cells establishing secondary tumors in other locations in the body.

Lymphatic Vessels

Larger structures formed from lymphatic capillaries, located adjacent to arteries and veins, and have valves within their lumen.

Lymphatic Ducts

Largest lymphatic vessels drained into by lymphatic trunks that convey lymph back into venous circulation.

Lymphedema

Accumulation of interstitial fluid due to interference with lymphatic drainage, causing swelling and pain.

Primary Lymphatic Structures

Involved in formation and maturation of lymphocytes; includes red bone marrow and thymus.

Secondary Lymphatic Structures

House lymphocytes and other immune cells; provide site of immune response initiation. Includes lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and lymphatic nodules.

Red Bone Marrow

Located within spaces between trabeculae in spongy bone; responsible for hemopoiesis.

Thymus

Bilobed organ in superior mediastinum; functions in T-lymphocyte maturation.

Lymph Node

Small, round, or oval, encapsulated structures located along pathways of lymph vessels that filter lymph and remove unwanted substances.

Lymphoma

Malignant neoplasm from lymphatic structures, presenting as a nontender, enlarged lymph node.

Spleen

Largest lymphatic organ located in left upper abdominal quadrant that filters blood.

White Pulp

Clusters of T- and B- lymphocytes and macrophages in the spleen.

Red Pulp

Contains erythrocytes, platelets, macrophages, and B-lymphocytes in the spleen.

Splenectomy

Surgical removal of the spleen due to injury, infection, cyst, tumor, lymphoma, cancer, or blood disorders.

Tonsils

Secondary lymphatic structures found in pharynx that help protect against foreign substances inhaled or ingested.

Tonsillitis

Inflammation and infection of the tonsils, often affecting palatine tonsils.

Tonsillectomy

Surgical removal of tonsils.

Lymphatic Nodules

Small clusters of lymphatic cells with some extracellular matrix, not completely surrounded by a connective tissue capsule; helps defend against infection.

MALT (Mucosa-Associated Lymphatic Tissue)

Located in gastrointestinal, respiratory, genital, and urinary tracts; helps defend against foreign substances.