The Lymphatic System

Dr. Hazim AL-Rawi

The Lymphatic System 1- returns fluids that have

leaked from the circulatory system back to the blood;
2-protects the body by removing foreign material;
3-provides a site for immune surveillance .
Lymph After blood travels through capillary beds and
is moved to the venous system, some of its fluid is left
behind in the tissues. This fluid and any plasma
proteins (lymph) become part of the interstitial fluid
and must be returned to the cardiovascular system.
Lymphatic vessels are intimately connected with blood
vessels so that they can perform this function.

Anatomy of lymphatic system

Components of the Lymphatic System

A-Lymphatic vessels return to the blood any fluids
that have escaped from the circulation.
Distribution of lymphatic vessels:1-Lymphatic vessels travel alongside blood vessels
2-Lymphatic vessels are absent from bones, teeth,
bone marrow, and the central nervous system
3-Lymphatic capillaries microscopic blind-ended
tubes that are interwoven between the tissue cells
and the blood capillaries
4-Lacteals specialized lymphatic capillaries of the
intestinal mucosa
5-Fatty lymph (chyme) containing fats and fat-soluble
substances is absorbed in the lacteals

Lymphatic vessel walls Extremely permeable due to the

following structures:1-Proteins and other large particles are able to enter lymphatic
vessels.
2-Endothelial cells are not tightly joined, instead they form
mini-valves.
3-Collagen filaments anchored to surrounding structures to
open the mini-valves.
Mini-valve function :1-When the fluid pressure in the interstitial space is greater
than the pressure in the lymphatic capillary, the mini-valves
are open and fluid enters the vessels
2-When the fluid pressure in the interstitial space is less than
the pressure in the lymphatic capillary, the mini-valves are
forced closed .This prevents the lymph from flowing back
into the tissues.

Lymph transport :1-The lymphatic circulation is a low-pressure system.

2-The lymphatic system lacks a pumping organ; must
utilize the valves, respiratory pumps and muscular
pumps to promote lymph flow toward the heart.
3-The movement of surrounding tissues is also important
in propelling lymph through the lymphatic's.
4-The lymphatic capillaries converge into larger vessels.
5-Lymph flows from the lymphatic capillaries to lymphatic
collecting vessels to lymphatic trunks to the right
lymphatic duct/thoracic duct.
6-The right lymphatic duct drains lymph from the right
upper arm and the right side of the head and thorax.
7-The thoracic duct receives lymph from the rest of the
body.

B-Lymphoid cells and tissues:A-Cells

Lymphocytes
1-Arise in the red bone marrow
2-Protect the body against antigens
Lymphocytes are Two types:1-T- lymphocytes (T cells)
-Mature in the thymus
-Directly attack and destroy foreign cells
2-B- lymphocytes (B cells)
-Mature in the bone marrow
-Produce plasma cells that manufacture antibodies
3-Macrophages phagocytize foreign substances and activate
the T cell response
4-Dendritic cells initiate the immune response
5-Reticular cells produce the reticular fibers that form the soft
skeletal structure of lymphoid organs .

B-Lymphoid (lymphatic) tissues :-

Function of lymphatic tissues

1-Houses and provides a site of proliferation for lymphocytes
2-Surveillance site for lymphocytes and macrophages
Composition of lymphatic tissues
1-Primarily composed of reticular connective tissue (except in the thymus)
2-Macrophages reside on the reticular fibers; lymphocytes temporarily reside
in the spaces of the reticular fiber network before leaving to patrol the
body
Types of lymphatic tissue organization
1-Diffuse lymphatic tissue scattered reticular tissue elements and cells, no
capsule
2-Found in every body organ, especially in the basement membranes of
mucous membranes and lymphoid organs
3-Lymphoid follicles (nodules) solid spherical bodies of tightly packed
reticular elements and cells
a-Typically have germinal centers
b-Contain dendritic cells and B cells

C-Lymphoid organs aggregates of lymphatic tissue in the

body; house phagocytic cells and lymphocytes

1-Lymph nodes :1-Only the lymph nodes filter lymph before it is returned to the
bloodstream .
2-Cluster along the lymphatic vessels of the body
3-Lymph nodes are embedded in connective tissue
4-Large clusters of lymph nodes appear near the body surface in
the inguinal, auxiliary, and cervical regions.
Functions of lymph nodes
1-Filters lymph
2-Assist in activating the immune system
Anatomy of a lymph node
1-Most are bean-shaped
2-Surrounded by a fibrous capsule
3-Strands of connective tissue (trabeculae) divide the node into
compartments

Two histological distinct regions in the Lymph

nodes :1-Cortex Contains densely packed follicles
with many germinal centers. Deeper portion
of the cortex primarily houses T cells
2-Medulla Contain both types of lymphocytes.
Circulation in the lymph nodes
3-Afferent lymphatic vessels lymph enters
the Lymph nodes. Once inside the nodes,
the lymph moves through a series of sinuses
and then exits at the holus .
4-Efferent lymphatic vessels lymph exits
Lymph nodes .

Histological t regions in the Lymph nodes :-

2-Spleen :a-The largest lymphoid organ.

b-Site of lymphocyte proliferation and immune surveillance and
response.
Functions of the spleen :1-Cleanses the blood by removing old RBCs and platelets, as
well as debris from the blood.
2-Stores the breakdown products of RBCs
3-Site of erythrocyte production in the fetus
Anatomy of the spleen
1-Surrounded by a fibrous capsule.
2-Contains both T cells, B cells, RBCs and macrophages.
3- Histologically divided into two regions :a-Red pulp rich in lymphocytes and reticular fibers, RBC
disposal and recycling .
b-White pulp rich in macrophages and reticular fibers .

3-Thymus:a-The site of T cell maturation .

b-Most active in younger children; atrophies with age
c-Does not contain reticular fibers.
d-Lack B cells, therefore no germinal centers are
present in the thymus.
4-Tonsils:
the simplest lymphoid organs; named according to
their location:
-Palatine tonsils
-Lingual tonsils
-Pharyngeal tonsil
-Tubal tonsils

5-Aggregates of lymphoid follicles :Location of these follicles make them ideal because they are able to:
a-Destroy bacteria and prevent pathogens from slipping through the
intestinal wall.
b-Generate many memory lymphocytes for long-term immunity .
Examples:1- Payer's patches found in the distal portion of the small intestine
;Appendix an off-shoot of the mecum (the first part of the large
intestine)
2-Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) protects the digestive
and respiratory tracts from foreign material .Include the tonsils,
Payer's patches, appendix, and lymphoid follicles found in the
bronchi.

Clinical Disorders of the Lymphatic System :Lymphangitis inflammation of the lymphatic vessels
Lymph edema blockage of the lymphatic vessels
Buboes - infected lymph nodes