Overview of the Lymphatic System
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ReeseOverview of the Lymphatic System
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ReeseModule 7 Lymphatic System
1 The lymphatic system
Specialized component of the circulatory system
Differs from the circulatory system
o Lymphatics do not form a closed ring or circuit
o Instead, begin blindly in the intercellular spaces of the soft tissues of the body
1.1 Lymph and interstitial fluid
Definitions:
Lymph
o Clear, watery fluid found in the lymphatic vessels
Interstitial fluid
o Fluid that fills the spaces around cells
1.2 Importance of the lymphatic system
Maintenance of fluid balance in internal environment
Immunity
1.2.1 Importance of the lymphatic system in maintaining fluid balance
Plasma filters into the interstitial spaces from blood flowing through capillaries
Much of interstitial fluid is absorbed by tissue cells / reabsorbed by the blood before it flows out of the tissue
Small amount of interstitial fluid left behind
o If this would continue over even a brief period of time, the increased interstitial fluid would cause
massive oedema
o This oedema would cause tissue destruction / death
o This problem is avoided by the presence of lymphatic vessels that act as "drains" to collect the excess
fluid and return it to the venous blood just before it reaches the heart
1.3 Structure of Lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic vessels same structures as veins with following exceptions:
Lymphatics have thinner walls
Lymphatics contain more valves
Lymphatics contain lymph nodes located at certain intervals along their course
1.3.1 Functions of lymphatic vessels
Lymphatics play a critical role in homeostasis
The high degree of capillary permeability permits large molecular weight substances which cannot be absorbed
by the blood capillary to be removed from the interstitial spaces
Proteins that accumulate in the interstitial spaces can return to the blood only via Lymphatics
If anything blocks lymphatic return, blood protein and blood osmotic pressure fall below normal and fluid
imbalance and death will result
1.4 Lymphatic pump
Although there is no muscular pumping organ connected with the lymphatic vessels to force lymph onward as
the heart forces blood, still lymph moves slowly and steadily along its vessels
Lymph flows through the thoracic duct and re-enters the general circulation at the rate of 125 mL/hour
It moves through the system in the right direction because of the large number of valves that permit fluid flow
only in one direction
The movement is due to breathing movements and skeletal muscle contraction
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Module 7 Lymphatic System
1.5 Structure of lymph nodes
Lymph nodes
o Oval-shaped of bean-shaped structures
o Some as small as a pinhead
o Some as large as a lima bean
Each lymph node is enclosed by a fibrous capsule
1.5.1 Functions of lymph nodes
Defence functions
o filtration and phagocytosis
Hematopoiesis
o Lymphatic tissue lymph nodes serve as the sites of the final stages of maturation for some types of
lymphocytes and monocytes that have migrated from the bone marrow
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Common questions
Powered by AILymphatic vessels differ from veins in that they have thinner walls, contain more valves, and include lymph nodes at intervals along their course. These structural features enhance their function by ensuring one-directional flow of lymph, allowing for the high permeability needed to transport large molecular weight substances, and providing immune defense through lymph nodes .
By acting as 'drains,' lymphatics collect excess interstitial fluid that is not reabsorbed into blood vessels, thereby preventing the fluid buildup that causes tissue edema. This function is crucial in maintaining fluid equilibrium and preventing tissue destruction or death due to prolonged edema .
Lymph nodes, with their oval or bean shape and fibrous capsules, create a structure that facilitates the filtration of lymph and allows for phagocytosis. Their placement along lymphatic vessels means that lymph passes through nodes, where pathogens can be trapped and eliminated. Additionally, they are sites of maturation for lymphocytes and monocytes, contributing to immune defense .
Lymph moves through lymphatic vessels in a slow and steady manner, aided by breathing movements and skeletal muscle contractions. These movements, coupled with numerous valves that ensure one-directional flow, drive lymph through the thoracic duct back into general circulation, even without a central pumping organ .
The high permeability of lymphatic capillaries enables the absorption of large molecular weight substances, such as proteins, that cannot be absorbed by blood capillaries, thus aiding in homeostasis. If this permeability were compromised, these substances would remain in the interstitial spaces, leading to impaired fluid balance and potential tissue damage .
Lymphatic vessels facilitate the return of proteins that accumulate in interstitial spaces back to the blood. If lymphatic return is obstructed, blood protein levels and osmotic pressure fall below normal, which can lead to fluid imbalance and potentially cause death .
Blocked lymphatic return reduces blood protein levels, which decreases blood osmotic pressure. This imbalance prevents proper fluid reabsorption into blood vessels, potentially causing edema and fluid accumulation that disrupts cellular function and homeostasis .
Lymphatic vessels maintain fluid balance by collecting excess interstitial fluid, which is the plasma filtering into interstitial spaces from blood capillaries, and returning it to venous blood just before it reaches the heart. If lymphatic vessels are impaired and cannot perform this function, interstitial fluid would accumulate, leading to massive edema and subsequent tissue destruction or death .
Skeletal muscle contractions and breathing movements generate pressure changes that propel lymph through the lymphatic vessels, compensating for the absence of a heart-like pumping organ. These physiological movements ensure a steady and directed flow of lymph towards the thoracic duct, where it rejoins the circulatory system .
The lymphatic system contributes to immunity by filtering and phagocytizing pathogens through lymph nodes. Additionally, it serves in hematopoiesis, providing sites for the final maturation stages of lymphocytes and monocytes that have migrated from the bone marrow, thereby supporting the immune responses .