Lymphatic System

Functions
of the Lymphatic System

1. Fluid Balance

- helps maintain fluid balance in the

body by collecting excess fluid from
tissues.
2. Lipid Absorption

-absorbs lipids and other

substances from the digestive tract
through the lymphatic vessels
called lacteals.
3. Defense

- It also helps defend the body

against infection by supplying
disease-fighting cells called
lymphocytes.
1. Lymph - a clear watery fluid that ransports
the plasma proteins that seep out of the
capillary beds back to the bloodstream

2. Lymphatic Vessels – collects tissue fluids

from loose connective tissue

3. Lymphatic Capillaries – tiny, closely-ended

vessels consisting of simple squamous
epithelium
4. Right Lymphatic Duct – it forms in the confluence of the
right jugular, right subclavian and right bronchomediastinal
lymphatic trunks

5. Thoracic Duct – larges lymph vessel in the body and

empties into the left subclavian vein
• Lymphatic Organs
- Includes the tonsils, the lymph
nodes, the spleen and the thymus

• Lymphatic Tissues - it houses many

lymphocytes and other defense cells,
such as macrophages
 Tonsils
- large groups of lymphatic nodules located deep to the mucous
membranes within the pharynx

3 Groups of Tonsils

1. Pharyngeal Tonsil – located near the internal opening of the nasal

cavity
2. Palatine Tonsil – located on each side of the posterior opening of the
oral cavity
3. Lingual Tonsil – located on the posterior surface of the tongue
Lymph Nodes - rounded in structures, varying
from the size of a small seed to that of a shell
almond

Classified as:

• Superficial Lymph Nodes - found in the

subcutaneous tissue beneath the skin
• Deep Lymph Nodes - found everywhere else

The both of them are located near or on blood

vessels
 Capsule – surrounds each lymph node

 Trabaculae – Extensions of the capsule that subdivide a lymph node into

compartments

 Lymphatic Nodules – consist of lymphocytes and other cells that can form
dense aggregations

 Lymphatic Sinuses – spaces between the lymphatic tissue that contains

macrophages

 Germinal Center – sites of lymphocyte production

 Spleen
- Roughly the size of a clenched fist and is located in the left, superior
corner of the abdominal cavity

o It has an outer capsule of dense connective tissue and a small amount

of smooth muscle
o Trabeculae divide the spleen into small, interconnected
compartments that contains White Pulp and Red Pulp
 Thymus

- Bilobed gland roughly triangular in shape.

 Common Diseases and Disorder in the Immune System

1. Anaphylaxis – systemic allergic reaction often resulting

from insect stings or drugs such as penicillin

2. Asthma - can be triggered by common allergens like dust

or pollen or by an irritant like tobacco smoke.

3. Eczema - An allergen causes an itchy rash known as atopic

dermatitis.

4. AIDS - HIV, which causes AIDS, is an acquired viral

infection that destroys important white blood cells and
weakens the immune system.