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“The lymphatic system drains fluid
from our tissue spaces”
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.322
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The lymphatic
system contains
lymph, the lymphatic
vessels, the
lymphoid organs and
lymphatic tissue that
is widely distributed
throughout the body
…
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The Lymphatic System has three main
functions …
The Lymphatic System returns tissue fluid to the blood
Specialised lymphatic vessels play an important role in the
absorption of fats and fat soluble vitamins
The lymphoid tissue helps the body defend itself against
disease
(Herlihy & Maebius 2003)
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Lymphatic System
A pathway for the
drainage of tissue
fluid.
Includes:
• Lymph nodes
• TheTonsils
• TheThymus
• The Spleen
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All About Lymph …
Lymph is a clear fluid that resembles plasma
Lymph is composed primarily of:
• Water
• Electrolytes
• Waste from metabolising cells
• Protein that leaks out of systemic circulation
capillaries
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Where does lymph come from?
Lymph is formed
from the plasma
during capillary
exchange …
Herlihy 2007 pg 265
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Where does it go to?
Lymph leaves the
tissue space
through the
lymphatic vessels
The lymphatic
vessels carry it to
the heart and then
empty it into the
blood
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Fluid and dissolved substances are
continuously filtered out of the blood
capillaries into the interstitium to form
tissue fluid.
About 90% of this tissue fluid moves
back into the capillaries and is carried
away as part of the venous blood
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.323
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What about the other 10% of fluid?
The 10% of fluid that doesn’t re-
enter the blood capillaries is drained
by the lymphatic capillaries that
surround the blood capillaries …
The tissue fluid that enters the
lymphatic vessels is what we know as
lymph
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Lymph Nodes
Small pea-shaped
patches of
lymphatic tissue
that are
strategically
located so as to
filter the lymph as
it flows through
the lymphatic
vessels
Lymph nodes tend
to appear in
clusters
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Lymph Nodes
Made of specialized lymphoid
tissue. Functions include:
• Removal of impurities
• Processing of lymphocytes
which aid in combating
infection
Are usually massed together.
Groups include:
• Cervical
• Axillary
• Tracheobronchial
• Mesenteric
• Inguinal
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Some of the larger clusters are:
• Cervical lymph nodes
• Axillary lymph nodes
• Inguinal lymph nodes
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Lymph Node Structure
The walls of a lymph
node are made from a
single layer of
epithelium and have
large pores.
The pores allow the
lymphatic capillaries to
drain tissue fluid and
protein and so form
lymph
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The LymphaticVessels
The lymphatic vessels
include the lymphatic
capillaries and several
larger lymphatic
vessels.
The lymphatic vessels,
like blood vessels,
form an extensive
network throughout
the body
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The distribution of lymphatic vessels is
similar to that of the veins …
Every organ has a rich supply of
lymphatic vessels that pick up the fluid
and transport it to the heart
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.323
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When the lymph is absorbed by the
lymphatic capillaries it flows towards
the heart in a series of larger and
larger lymph vessels until it reaches the
large lymphatic ducts …
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.323
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The lymph from the right arm and right side of
the head and thorax drains into the right
lymphatic duct
The lymph from the rest of the body drains
into the thoracic duct
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Both ducts enter into the subclavian
veins
The right lymphatic duct drains into
the right subclavian vein
The thoracic duct drains into the left
subclavian vein
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www.bt.cdc.gov/...trainingmodule/3/03.asp
Swollen axillary lymph node
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How lymph moves through the
lymphatic vessels
Blood is pumped around the body by the
heart
Lymph requires other mechanisms to
move it through the lymphatic vessels
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Lymph moves in response to the following
…
• The milking action of skeletal muscles
• The movement of the chest during
respiration
• The rhythmic contraction and relaxation
of smooth muscles in the lymph
capillaries
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.324
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Lymphoedma
• REF: thenakedscientists.com
• “How the Lymphatic system works”
• Stephanie Modi.
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The Lymphoid Organs
• Lymph Nodes
• The Tonsils
• Thymus
Gland
• The Spleen
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LymphoidTissue
Tonsils: Mass of lymphoid tissue
that filters tissue fluid. Have a
function in immunity during
early childhood.
Thymus: key role in
development of pre and post
birth immunity.
Spleen: Lymphoid tissue that
filters blood. Destroys worn out
RBC . Cleans blood by
phagocytosis. Dam for blood.
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The Tonsils …
The Tonsils are partially encapsulated
lymph nodes in the throat area
They filter tissue fluid that is
contaminated by pathogens that have
entered the body through the nose or
mouth or both
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.326
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There are three sets of tonsils …
• The PalatineTonsils
• The PharyngealTonsils (The Adenoids)
• The LingualTonsils
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www.dentsl.mu.edu/...oraltonsil/oraltonsil.htm
Oral Tonsil
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TheThymus Gland
• Located in the upper thorax behind the sternum
and below the thyroid gland
• It is most active in early life
• Plays a crucial role in the development of the
immune system before birth and in the first
months of life
• After puberty it shrinks and is replaced by
connective tissue and fat
• It is concerned with the manufacture of T Cells
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.327
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TheThymus Gland … cont.
The Thymus gland secretes hormones called
Thymosins
Thymosins promote the maturation of lymphocytes
within that gland
Thymosins also promote the growth and activity of
lymphocytes in lymphoid tissue function
throughout the body
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.327
39. Document Title (Editable via ‘Slide Master’) | Page 39
www.dentsl.mu.edu/...oraltonsil/oraltonsil.htm
Thymus Gland
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The Spleen
• The Largest lymphoid organ in the body
• Located in the upper left quadrant of the
abdominal cavity just beneath the diaphragm
• Normally protected by the rib cage
• It shape and structure is similar to a lymph
node, only much larger!
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The Spleen … cont
• The Spleen filters blood rather than
lymph
• The Spleen has two types of tissue:
- White Pulp
- Red Pulp
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White Pulp
• Consists of lymphoid tissue
• Lymphocytes that surround arteries
are found here
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Blood enters the spleen through the Splenic
Artery
The blood flows through the spleen and is
cleansed
Micro-organisms that are trapped in the spleen
are destroyed by the Leukocytes
The cleansed blood leaves by the SplenicVein
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The Spleen has other functions …
• The spleen acts as a storage area for blood
• The blood is released in an emergency
• The Spleen also destroys old worn out red blood cells
• The Spleen plays a role in erythropoiesis
as a site of red blood cell production before birth
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, 2003, P.327
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Red Pulp …
• Contains venous sinuses
• The venous sinuses are filled with blood,
lymphocytes and macrophages
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www.ames.kiz.ia.us/...classrooms/21/Human.html
Spleen
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Disorders of the Lymphatic System
• Lymphangitis
• Elephantiasis
• Lymphadenitis
• Lymphadenopathy
• Splenomegaly
• Hodgkin’s Disease
• Lymphoscarcoma.
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References
• Brown,D & Edwards,H. (2005) Lewis’s Medical – Surgical
Nursing.Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems.
Elsevier , Sydney
• Memmler, R. L. &Wood, D. L. (1987) The Human Body in
Health and Disease. (6th ed). J.B. Lippincott company,
Philadelphia.
• Mosby’s (2002) Mosby’s Medical Nursing & Allied Health
Dictionary. Elsevier, United States of America.
• Tortora, GJ & Grabowski, SR (1990) Principles of anatomy
and physiology (6th ed).. HarperCollins Publishers Inc. New
York.
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List of References
medicine.ucsd.ed/clinicalmed/head.html
medicine.ucsd.ed/clinicalmed/head.html
www.bt.cdc.gov/...trainingmodule/3/03.asp
www.cvm.tamu.edu/.../faq/question/cancer02.html
www.dentsl.mu.edu/...oraltonsil/oraltonsil.htm
www.dentsl.mu.edu/...oraltonsil/oraltonsil.htm
www.ames.kiz.ia.us/...classrooms/21/Human.html
Herlihy, B & Maebius, N, The Human Body in Health and Illness
2nd Edition,2003, Saunders, United States of America