LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
By-
Dr Garima Sehgal
Lecturer
Department of Anatomy
KGMU
LYMPH
What is lymph ?
Tissue fluid (interstitial fluid)
that enters the lymphatic
vessels
01/10/26
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
24-7
System
Reabsorbs excess interstitial fluid:
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
24-8 Lymphatic System
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
24-11
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. Lymph does not
clot
Lymphatic Capillaries –
24-12
Lacteals
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
24-13
Vessels
Features of
structure
Three layered wall
but thinner than
vein,
More numerous
valves than in 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
24-15
DUCTS
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
Enter thoracic cavity &
ascends
Travels upward,
veering to the left at
THORACIC DUCT…..
17
At 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, Subclavian
and broncho-
mediastinal trunk
DRAINAGE PATTERN
RIGHT LYMPHATIC
DUCT -Receives
lymph from right half
of head, neck, thorax
and right upper limb,
right lung, right side
ofTHORACIC
heart, rightDUCT -
surface
Drainsof liver from
lymph
lower limbs, pelvic
cavity, abdominal
cavity, left side of
thorax, and left side
Regional
Internal jugular vein lymph nodes:
Cervical nodes
Entrance of right
lymphatic duct into vein
Entrance of thoracic
duct into vein Axillary nodes
Thoracic duct
Cisterna chyli Aorta
Inguinal nodes
Lymphatic
collecting vessels Drained by the right
lymphatic duct
Drained by the
thoracic duct
(a) General distribution of lymphatic collecting vessels
and regional lymph nodes.
Figure 20.2a
Lymphatic Cells
24-20
Also called lymphoid cells.
Located in both the lymphatic system
and the cardiovascular system.
Work together to elicit an immune
response.
Types of lymphatic cells are:
macrophages
epithelial cells
dendritic cells
lymphocytes
LYMPHATIC ORGANS
Primary organs
Red bone marrow
Thymus gland
Secondary organs
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodules
Spleen
Lymph
24-22
Nodes
Small, round or 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 also
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
Divided into superficial
Spleen
24
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
Function
Spleen
Largest lymphoid organ
Served by splenic artery and vein, which enter and exit
at the hilus
Functions
Site of lymphocyte proliferation and immune surveillance
and response
Cleanses the blood of aged cells and platelets and debris
Diaphragm
Spleen
Adrenal
gland
Left
kidney
Splenic
artery
Pancreas
(c) Photograph of the spleen in its normal position
in the abdominal cavity, anterior view.
Figure 20.6c
THYMUS
27
Features
Consists of two
elongated lobes
Is a large organ in
the fetus
Occupies the
thoracic cavity
behind the sternum
Secrete
lymphopoietin
Lymphatic Nodules
24-28
Oval clusters of lymphatic cells with 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.
mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) or
tonsils
very prominent in the mucosa of the small
intestine, primarily in the ileum
Peyer patches
also present in the appendix
Tonsils
24-30
clusters of lymphatic cells and
extracellular 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 one-third
Pharyngeal tonsil
Palatine tonsil
Lingual tonsil
Tonsil
Tonsillar crypt
Germinal centers
in lymphoid follicles
Figure 20.8
APPLIED
ANATOM
Y
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
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,
Fever and 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
I am 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
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