LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
LYMPH
What is lymph ?
Tissue fluid (interstitial fluid) that
enters the lymphatic vessels
FORMATION AND TRANSPORT
OF TISSUE FLUID
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Essentially a drainage
system accessory to
venous system
larger particles that
escape into tissue fluid can
only be removed via
lymphatic system
Functions of the Lymphatic System
24- Reabsorbs
excess interstitial fluid:
5 returns it to the venous circulation
maintain blood volume levels
prevent interstitial fluid levels from rising out of
control.
Transport dietary lipids:
transported through lacteals
drain into larger lymphatic vessels
eventually into the bloodstream.
lymphocyte development, and the immune
response.
Components of the Lymphatic
System
24-
6 Lymph
Lymphatic Vessels
Lymphatic Capillaries
Lymphatic Vessels
Lymphatic Trunks
Lymphatic Ducts
Lymphatic Organs
Thymus
Lymph Nodes
Spleen
Tonsils
Lymphatic cells
Lymph Vessels
Lymphatic capillaries –
Lymphatic collecting vessels
Lymphatic trunks –
Lymphatic ducts –
Lymphatic Capillaries
24-
9
Features of structure:
Blind end
Single layer of overlapping
endothelial cells
More permeable than that of
blood capillary
Absent from avascular
structures, brain, spinal cord
splenic pulp and bone marrow
Lymphatic Capillaries – Lacteals
24-
10 The small intestine contains special types
of lymphatic capillaries called lacteals.
Lacteals pick up not only interstitial fluid,
but also dietary lipids and lipid-soluble
vitamins.
The lymph of this area has a milky color
due to the lipid and is also called chyle.
Lymphatic Vessels
24-
11
Features of
structure
Three layered wall but thinner than
vein,
More numerous valves than in the
vein
Interposed by lymph nodes at
intervals
Arranged in superficial and deep sets
LYMPH TRUNKS
right and left jugular trunks
right and left subclavian trunks
right and left bronchomediastinal
trunks
right and left lumbar trunks
intestinal trunk
LYMPHATIC DUCTS
24-
13
Right lymphatic duct
Formed by union of right
jugular, subclavian, and
bronchomediastinal trunks
Ends by entering the right
venous angle
LYMPHATIC DUCTS
Thoracic duct
Begins in front of
L1 as a dilated sac,
the cisterna chyli,
formed by left
and right lumbar
trunks and
intestinal trunk
Enterthoracic
cavity & ascends
THORACIC DUCT
At
15
the root of
the neck, it
turns laterally
arches forwards
and descends to
enter the left
venous angle
before
termination, it
receives the left
jugular,
DRAINAGE PATTERN
RIGHT LYMPHATIC
DUCT -Receives
lymph from right
half of head, neck,
thorax and right
upper limb, right
lung, right side of
THORACIC
heart, right DUCT -
Drains
surface of lymph
liver from
lower limbs, pelvic
cavity, abdominal
cavity, left side of
thorax, and left
side of the head,
Lymphatic Cells
24- Also called lymphoid
17 cells.
Located in both the
lymphatic system and the
cardiovascular system.
Work together to elicit
an immune response.
Types of lymphatic cells
are:
macrophages
epithelialcells
dendritic cells
LYMPHATIC ORGANS
Primary organs
Redbone marrow
Thymus gland
Secondary organs
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodules
Spleen
Lymph Nodes
24- Small, round or
19
oval
located along the
pathways of lymph
vessels.
length from 1 - 25
millimeters
Typically found in
clusters
receive lymph from
many body regions.
Lymph nodes are
Lymph node
Features
• Bean-shaped bodies
• With afferent
vessels (entering at
the periphery) and
efferent lymph
vessels(emerging at
the hilus)
• Arranged in groups,
along the blood
vessels or the
flexural side of the
joint
Regional Lymph drainage
21
Regional Lymph Node
is the lymph node where the
lymph of the organ or part
of the body drainge to
firstly
Sentinel Lymph
Spleen
22
Location
Left epigastric
region
between 9th-11th rib
in line of 10th rib
Largest lymphatic
organ in the body.
Can vary
considerably in size
and weight
THYMUS
23
Features
Consistsof
two elongated
lobes
Isa large
organ in the
fetus
Occupies the
thoracic
cavity behind
Lymphatic Nodules
24- Oval clusters of lymphatic cells with
24
some extracellular matrix that are
not surrounded by a connective tissue
capsule.
Filter and attack antigens.
In some areas of the body, many lymphatic
nodules group together to form larger
structures known as mucosa-associated
lymphatic tissue (MALT) or tonsils
very prominent in the mucosa of the
Tonsils
Clusters
24-
of lymphatic cells and
26extracellular matrix not
completely surrounded by a
connective tissue capsule.
Consist of multiple germinal
centers and crypts
Several groups of tonsils form a
protective ring around the
pharynx.
pharyngeal tonsils (or
adenoids) in nasopharynx
palatine tonsils in oral cavity
lingual tonsils along posterior
MALT (Mucosa Associated Lymphoid
Tissue)
27
APPLIED
ANATOMY
LYMPHANGITIS
Inflammation of the
lymph vessels
Commonest cause
bacteria called
streptococcus
pyogenes(most
common).
Lymph vessels appear as
red streaks through the
skin
FILARIASIS
LYMPHEDEMA
Occurs due to
accumulation of
lymphatic fluid in
the interstitial
tissue
Sometimes can be
appreciated after
wearing tight
clothing or jewellary
on affected limb
LYMPHADENOPATHY
Means a disease of
the lymph nodes
Lymph nodes
become swollen/
enlarged and may
be painful to touch
LYMPHOMAS
Cancers originating either
from the lymphocytes in
the lymph nodes or the
lymphatic tissue in organs
Risk factors -- HIV,
HEPATITIS, EBV infections
TONSILLITIS
Infection
of the
pharyngeal tonsils
Tonsils are swollen,
Feverand pain
during swallowing
usually present
Treatment– surgical
removal of tonsils
(TONSILLECTOMY)
SPLENOMEGALY
Enlarged
Spleen
Various
causes
LET’S REVISE SOME
IMPORTANT FACTS
QUESTION. 1
Name the structures labelled A-E.
QUESTION. 2
Iam a part of lymphatic system and protect the
body by clearing worn out red cells and foreign
bodies from the blood stream. Who am I?
A. Thymus
B. Palatine Tonsil
C. Spleen
D. Lymph node
QUESTION. 3
Which is the correct statement about the
Lymphatic system?
A. It Reabsorbs excess interstitial fluid and
returns it to the venous circulation.
B. Transports dietary lipids through lacteals.
C. Helps in lymphocyte development, and the
immune response.
D. All of the above
QUESTION. 4
Which disease caused by
mosquito bite blocks the
lymphatic drainage causing
huge swelling of body parts
(commonly lower limb)
A. Malaria
B. Filaria
C. Dengue
D. Yellow fever
QUESTION. 5
Which of these is a primary lymphoid
organ ?
A. Lymph Node
B. Spleen
C. Tonsil
D. Bone Marrow
Bone marrow and thymus gland are the
primary lymphoid organs