The Lymphatic System

Careers

Immunologist, internist, oncology, lymphedema therapist

anti

Against

carcin/o

Cancerous

immun/o

Immune protection, safe

lymph/o

Lymph or lymphatic tissue

lymphaden/o

Lymph node or gland

lymphangi/o

Lymph vessel

neo, ne/o

New, strange

spleen/o

Spleen

oma

Tumor, neoplasm

onc/o

Tumor

phag/o

Eat, swallow

plasm

Formative material of cells

tic

Pertaining to

tox/o

Poison, poisonous

sarc/o

Flash, connective tissue

The lymphatic system

Consists of the lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and lymphatic tissue. Lymphatic tissue is rich in lymphocytes, accessory cells, and macrophages. The system works with the circulatory system to remove metabolic waste and excess fluids from the tissues.

Lymph

A thin watery fluid, composed of inner cellular and interstitial fluid. This happens when plasma diffuses into tissue spaces. It is made up of water, digested nutrients, salts, hormones, oxygen, carbon dioxide, lymphocytes, and metabolic waste such as urea. When this fluid enters the lymphatic system, it is known as lymph.

Lymphatic vessels

Throughout the body, almost every tissue that contains a blood vessel

Lymphatic capillaries

Small, open-ended lymph vessels that act like drain pipes. Capillaries pick up lymph from the tissues all over the body. Join other capillaries to form large vessels, which pass through the nodes. Muscle contraction causes the length to decrease.

Intestine

In the small intestine, there are special lymphatic capillaries called lacteals, which pick up fats or lipids. When the lymph fluid mixes with the fat, it is called chyle. Chyle is transported through the bloodstream through the thoracic duct.

Lymph nodes

Located all over the body. Around 500 to 600 notes throughout the body. Notes are also known as glands. Located in groups/clusters. Clusters of nodes concentrated in specific regions: cervical, auxiliary, mediastinal, mesecentric, paraaortic, and inguinal. Range in size from small round or oval masses from the size of a pinhead to the size of an almond.

Lymph vessels

Bring lymph to Notes. It is nodes that filter/remove impurities. Carbon, cancer cells, dead blood cells, and pathogens.

Production

Lymphatic tissue in the nodes works to fight infection. The tissue produces lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell/not just a white blood cell. The tissue also produces antibodies, which are used to fight off infections. Purified lymph leaves the node by a vessel.

Drainage

The lymph vessels drain into one of two lymphatic ducts. The right lymphatic duct has a short tube; it receives all lymph from the right side of the head, neck, right chest, and right arm. This empties into the right subclavian vein, returning purified lymph to the blood.

Cisterna Chyli

The thoracic duck is larger. It drains lymph from the rest of the body. It empties into the left subclavian vein. At the beginning of the thoracic duct, there is a pouch-like structure called the cisterna chyli. The stores purified lymph until it is returned to the bloodstream. The cisterna chili also receives chyle from lacteals.

Tonsils

Masses of lymphatic tissue that filter interstitial fluid/fluid that surrounds the tissue cells, between the cells. Three pairs. Due to position of tonsils, it is the first line of defense from the exterior. Making it subject to infection/tonsillitis.

Pallotine tonsils

Located on each side of the pallet.

Pharyngeal tonsils

Or adenoids located on the upper part of the throat or nasopharynx

Lingual tonsils

Located on the back of the tongue.

Spleen

Located on the left side of the diaphragm and in the back of the upper part of the stomach. (LUQ next to stomach). Spleen has four functions: destroy sold RBC by macrophages. During this process of breakdown it liberates HGB, which is converted to bilirubin and exerted in bile filters. Foreign material from blood. Activated T cells (foreign material) and activates B Cells (antibodies). Stores blood esp, RBC, platelets, and releases into the bloodstream if excessive bleeding occurs.

Thymus

Located in the center of the upper chest. Produces antibodies and makes lymphocytes to fight infection. After puberty the thymus gland atrophies and replaced by fat and connective tissue function is taken over by lymph nodes.