LYMPHATIC ORGANS AND TISSUES

INTRODUCTION - drains lymph from the right upper arm and the right side of the
Parts: Functions: head and thorax
1. lymphatic vessels 1. returns fluids that have leaked from the b. thoracic duct
2. lymph nodes blood vascular system back to the - receives lymph from the rest of the body; as it runs superiorly, it
3. other lymphoid organs and tissues blood receives lymphatic drainage from the left side of the thorax, left
2. protects the body by removing foreign upper limb, and the head region
lymph - the interstitial fluid that enters the material from the lymph stream Each duct empties its lymph at the junction of the internal jugular vein and
lymphatics; clear, pale-yellow except chyle 3. provides a site for immune surveillance

subclavian vein.
LYMPHATIC VESSELS Lymph Transport
- aka lymphatics The lymphatic system lacks an organ that acts as a pump.
Functions The flow of lymph is slow (~3 L per day); it is maintained by skeletal muscle
return excess tissue fluid to the bloodstream contraction, pressure changes in the thorax, and contractions of the lymphatic
return leaked proteins to the blood vessels. Backflow is prevented by valves.
carry absorbed fat from the intestine to the blood (through lacteals).
Distribution and Structure of Lymphatic Vessels LYMPHOID CELLS
form a one-way system in which lymph flows only toward the heart lymphocytes
begins in microscopic blind-ended lymphatic capillaries - arise in red bone marrow
- between the cells and blood capillaries in the loose connective tissues - mature into either:
- remarkably permeable 1. T cells (T lymphocytes) - manage the immune response; some directly
the edges of adjacent cells overlap each other loosely, forming easily attack and destroy infected cells
opened, flaplike minivalves 2. B cells (B lymphocytes) - produce plasma cells that secrete antibodies into
collagen filaments anchor the endothelial cells to surrounding the blood (or other body fluids)
structures
lymphoid macrophages - phagocytize foreign substances and helps activate T cells
- lacteals: highly specialized lymphatic capillaries present in the villi of the spiny-looking dendritic cells - capture antigens and bring them back to the lymph
intestinal mucosa nodes
- chyle: milky white fatty lymph draining from the digestive viscera reticular cells - fibroblast-like cells that produce the reticular fiber stroma
from the lymphatic capillaries, lymph flows through successively larger and LYMPHOID TISSUE
thicker-walled channels houses and provides a proliferation site for lymphocytes
1. collecting vessels furnishes an ideal surveillance vantage point for lymphocytes and macrophages
- have the same three tunics as veins but are thinner-walled, have more largely composed of reticular connective tissue
internal valves, and interconnects more dominates all the lymphoid organs except the thymus
2. trunks where the lymphocytes reside temporarily (then leave to patrol the body again)
- formed by the union of the largest collecting vessels Lymphoid tissue comes in various "packages."
- drain fairly large areas of the body 1. diffuse lymphatic tissue - consists of a few scattered reticular tissue elements
- major trunks: 2. Lymphoid follicles (nodules) - solid, spherical bodies consisting of tightly
a. lumbar - lower limbs, wall and viscera of pelvis, kidneys, adrenal packed reticular elements and cells; often display germinal centers (areas
glands, and abdominal wall where B cells are proliferating)
b. bronchomediastinal - thoracic wall, lung, and heart
c. subclavian - upper limbs RED BONE MARROW
d. jugular - head and neck houses the hemopoietic stem cells which give rise to B cells and pre-T cells
e. intestinal - stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen, & part of the liver pre-T cells then migrate to the thymus gland where they mature
3. ducts
LYMPH NODES
- lymph is eventually delivered to one of two large ducts in the thoracic
principal lymphoid organs
region
a. right lymphatic duct
PILAPIL, K. Marieb, E. & Hoehn, K. (2007). Human Anatomy & Physiology (7th ed.). New York: Pearson, 774 - 782
 LYMPHATIC ORGANS AND TISSUES
discrete encapsulated structures containing both diffusely arranged and dense
reticular tissue
Functions
lymph filters
help activate the immune system
Structures
capsule - surrounds each node
trabeculae - divide the node into compartments
stroma - physically supports the lymphocytes
cortex: contains densely packed follicles and mostly lymphocytes
medulla: defined by medullary cords; contains macrophages, lymphocytes and
plasma cells
lymph sinuses - large lymph capillaries spanned by crisscrossing reticular fibers
Circulation in the Lymph Nodes
1. lymph nodes convex side (via afferent lymphatic vessels)
2. subcapsular sinus - large, baglike sinus
3. smaller sinuses that cut through the cortex and enter the medulla
4. hilum (via efferent lymphatic vessels) - the indented region on the concave side
There are fewer efferent vessels than afferent vessels, so the flow of lymph through
the node stagnates somewhat, allowing time for the cells to carry out their functions.
OTHER LYMPHOID ORGANS
1. Spleen
- soft, blood-rich; about the size of a fist; largest lymphoid organ
- located in the left side of the abdominal cavity just beneath the diaphragm;
curls around the anterior aspect of the stomach
Functions:
a. a site for lymphocyte proliferation and immune surveillance and response
b. blood-cleansing functions: extracts aged and defective blood cells and
platelets; macrophages remove debris and foreign matter
c. stores some of the breakdown products of red blood cells for later reuse and
releases others to the blood for processing by the liver
d. a site of erythrocyte production in the fetus (ceases after birth)
e. stores blood platelets
- white pulp: mostly lymphocytes; involved with immune functions
- red pulp: the venous sinuses and the splenic cords (exceptionally rich in
macrophage); disposal of worn-out red blood cells and bloodborne pathogens
2. Thymus
- bilobed; functions primarily during the early years of life
- found in the inferior neck and extends into the superior thorax, where it
partially overlies the heart deep to the sternum
- causes T lymphocytes to become immunocompetent by secreting
thymopoietin and the thymosins
PILAPIL, K. Marieb, E. & Hoehn, K. (2007). Human Anatomy & Physiology (7th ed.). New York: Pearson, 774 - 782
- continues to increase in size during the first year; after puberty, it starts to
atrophy gradually; by old age it has been replaced almost entirely by fibrous
and fatty tissue
- Most thymic cells are lymphocytes.
- cortex: densely packed rapidly dividing lymphocytes and a few macrophages
- medulla: fewer lymphocytes plus thymic (Hassall's) corpuscles; site of T cell
destruction
- lacks B cells no follicles
- functions strictly in T lymphocyte maturation - the only one that does not
directly fight antigens
- blood-thymus barrier keeps bloodborne antigens from leaking into the cortical
regions to prevent premature activation of the immature lymphocytes
- the stroma of the thymus consists of epithelial cells (rather than reticular
fibers) - secrete the hormones thymopoietin and the thymosins
3. Tonsils
- form a ring of lymphatic tissue around the entrance to the pharynx (throat),
where they appear as swellings of the mucosa
- gather and remove many of the pathogens entering the pharynx in food or in
inhaled air
- their lymphoid tissue contains follicles with obvious germinal centers
surrounded by diffusely scattered lymphocytes
- not fully encapsulated
- the epithelium overlying them invaginates deep into their interior, forming
blind-ended tonsillar crypts which trap bacteria and particulate matter
a. palatine tonsils - located on either side at the posterior end of the oral cavity;
largest of the tonsils; the ones most often infected
b. lingual tonsil - a lumpy collection of lymphoid follicles at the base of the
tongue
c. pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids if enlarged) - in the posterior wall of the
nasopharynx
d. tubal tonsils - surround the openings of the auditory tubes into the pharynx
4. Peyers Patches
- large isolated clusters of lymphoid follicles
- located in the wall of the distal portion of the small intestine
- Peyer's patches (and the appendix) is in an ideal position to destroy bacteria
and to generate many "memory" lymphocytes for long-term immunity.
Mucosa-associated Lymphatic Tissue (MALT)
protects passages that are open to the exterior from the never-ending onslaughts of foreign
matter entering them
parts: Peyer's patches, the appendix, the tonsils, and lymphoid follicles in the walls of the
bronchi and in the mucosa of genitourinary organs