LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Network of organs and vessels Low pressure One-way system leading to circulatory system

FUNCTIONS OF LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

1.) Returns leaked fluid to blood 2.) Transports digested lipids and vitamins 3.) Activates immune responses

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Structures 1. Lymph Vessels 2. Lymph fluid and lymphocytes 3. Lymphatic organs and tissues Lymph nodules Lymph nodes Thymus Spleen

LYMPH VESSELS-CAPILLARIES
Larger, more permeable than blood capillaries Closed ended Endothelial cells overlap
Pushed open by high interstitial fluid pressure direct fluid inward only

LYMPH VESSELS
From lymph capillaries lymph flows to Collecting vessels
Like veins with thinner walls 1 way valves Pass through lymph

nodes
Unite to form

Lymphatic trunks

Valve in a Lymphatic Vessel

Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Lymph Lymph flows forward through open valves

Valve
Closed valves prevent backflow (b)
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc./Dennis Strete, photographer

(a)

Figure 21.4a

21-6

Figure 21.4b

Route of Lymph Flow

Lymphatic capillaries Collecting vessels

Lymphatic trunks

2 Collecting ducts
Right lymphatic duct Thoracic duct Subclavian veins

21-7

Route of Lymph Flow

Collecting ducts:

Right lymphatic duct Right upper body

Into right subclavian vein

Thoracic duct Begins as cisterna chyli

a sac in abdomen

Below diaphragm Left upper body

Into left subclavian vein

Lymphatic Drainage of Mammary and Axillary Regions

Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Right lymphatic duct Right subclavian vein Axillary lymph nodes

Lymphatics of breast

(b) 21-9 Figure 21.6b

LYMPH FLUID
Extra leaked fluid from capillary exchange
Plasma, wastes, nutrients, a few plasma proteins 15% of plasma not reabsorbed into capillaries
2-4 L/day or a bit more than 2-4 quarts/day

Digested fats from the lacteals.

ELEPHANTIASIS
Tropical disease Roundworms infect lymph nodes Block flow of lymph

LYMPH- IMMUNE FUNCTIONS

Production and maturation of lymphocytes in
Red bone marrow Thymus Spleen

Filtering of lymph for pathogens and destruction of pathogens in

Lymph nodes Lymphatic nodules Spleen

Lymphatic Cells
LYMPHOCYTES

Natural killer (NK) cells

Large lymphocytes that attack and destroy bacteria,

T lymphocytes (T cells)
Attack invaders

B lymphocytes (B cells)
Produce antibodies

LYMPHOCYTE CIRCULATION
Most live 4 years, some 20 years Wander through the body Concentrate in different sites

LYMPHOCYTE LOCATIONS
Blood + Thymus gland Spleen Bone marrow

LYMPHOCYTE PRODUCTION
Primary site Bone Marrow Hemocytoblasts form 2 types of stem cells 1. One group forms B + NK cells
B cells enter blood Go to lymph nodes + spleen NK cells migrate through body

LYMPHOCYTE PRODUCTION
2. One group goes to thymus Here they form T cells These then enter blood

Lymphatic Cells
Macrophages
Phagocytiticcells Present antigen Destroy invaders

Dendritic cells
Present antigens

Reticular cells
Form framworkd Present antigen

LYMPHATIC NODULES (Lymphoid follicles)

Small masses of Reticular connective tissue
Large numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages Enmeshed within reticular fibers No connective tissue capsule

LYMPHATIC NODULES
Function
Produce lymphocytes Help fight infection

Found in mucus membranes of

G.I. Tract Respiratory tract Urinary tract Reproductive tract Called MALTMucosa-associated lymphatic tissue

LYMPHATIC NODULES
Dense clusters of nodules in
Tonsils Payers patches (in intestines)

LYMPHATIC ORGANS
Encapsulated Include:
Lymph nodes Thymus Spleen

LYMPH NODES
Masses of lymph tissue surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. Functions
Filter lymph Produce lymphocytes

Concentrated in
Mammary glands Axillae + Digestive area Groin & neck

LYMPH NODE DETAILS

Contain T cells, B cells + macrophages

Filter lymph + destroy foreign microorganisms

LYMPH NODE FUNCTION

Filtering Process 1.Lymph passes through the layers of the node 2.Immune cells remove + destroy antigens that pass through

IMMUNE CELLS IN LYMPH NODES

Macrophages
engulf debris + pathogens process them present pathogens to lymphocytes

Dendritic cells
bind pathogens present them to lymphocytes

Lymphocytes
Destroy pathogens

THYMUS GLAND
a. Where T cells mature b. Big through age 12. c. Atrophies with age.

SPLEEN
Filters blood of pathogens and dead cells Macrophages phagocytize bacteria and worn RBCs Lymphocytes destroy pathogens

SPLEEN
Stores and releases extra Blood at times of need (Sympathetic Stimulation)