Functional

Anatomy of
Lymphatic
System
Lymphatic System
protects body against foreign material
assists in circulation of body fluids between
cells and bloodstream
transports dietary fats

Lymphatic System
(cont.)

Consists of:
- lymph
- network of vessels
- lymph nodes and nodules
- tonsils
- spleen
- thymus gland
- bone marrow
Lymph (lympha = clear fluid)
derived from tissue fluid
contains more white blood cells than plasma
enters node through afferent lymphatic vessels
flows through node in one direction

Lymph
(cont.)
flows through sinuses in lymph node cortex
and then into the medulla
exits the lymph node through efferent
lymphatic vessels
must be returned to blood stream to maintain
blood volume and pressure
Lymph Capillaries
microscopic closed-ended vessels
located next to blood capillaries in tissue spaces
larger diameter than blood capillaries
are very permeable and collect tissue fluid and
proteins
lymph capillaries merge to form larger lymph
vessels
Lymph Vessels
resemble veins but have thinner walls and
more valves
ends of endothelial cells overlap
- act as one-way valves allowing interstitial
fluid to flow in but not out
attached to surrounding tissue by anchoring
filaments


Lymph Vessels (cont.)
no pump for lymph
Lymph is kept moving by:
- constriction of vessels
- skeletal muscle pump
- respiratory pump
at intervals along vessels lymph flows into
lymph nodes
lymphatic vessels unite to form lymph trunks
Lymph Trunks
formed by lymphatic vessels uniting
large tubes
empty their lymph into lymphatic ducts
Lymphatic Ducts
Lymph empties into two conducting ducts:
- the thoracic duct (left lymphatic duct)
- the right lymphatic duct

Lymph from these ducts enters the blood
stream via the left subclavian vein and the
right subclavian vein
Thoracic Duct
(left lymphatic duct)
about 15-18 inches (38-45 cm) in length
begins as a dilation called the cisterna chyli
main collecting duct of lymphatic system
receives lymph from lower body and upper
left quadrant
empties into the left subclavian vein

Cisterna Chyli
large lymph vessel
formed by the union of lymph vessels from
lower body
located anterior to the second lumbar
vertebra
continues superiorly as thoracic duct
Right Lymphatic Duct
about 0.5 inches (1.5 cm) in length
receives lymph from upper right quadrant
empties into the right subclavian vein
Lymph Nodes
oval or bean-shaped
masses of lymphatic tissue
aid in defense and white blood cell formation
located along length of lymphatic vessels
scattered throughout the body usually in clusters
Lymph Nodes (cont.)
covered by a capsule
contain capsular extensions called
trabeculae (form partitions within node)
internal to capsule are reticular fibers and
fibroblasts
- form framework of a lymph node
Two main regions of a lymph node:
- cortex
- medulla
cortex
medulla
trabeculae
germinal
center
lymphatic vessel
valve
arteriole
vein
Cortex
outer region directly beneath the capsule
contains densely packed lymphocytes
arranged in masses called follicles
- outer rim of follicle contains T cells,
macrophages, and follicular dendritic
cells (aid in T cell activation)

Medulla
inner region
lymphocytes are arranged in strands called
medullary cords
- contain macrophages and plasma cells
Biological Filtration
as lymph passes through a node bacteria and
other foreign materials are trapped by
reticular fibers within the node
- bacteria are then phagocytized by
macrophages
Biological Filtration
(cont.)
plasma cells produce antibodies to antigens
in the lymph
antibodies, lymphocytes, and monocytes are
eventually returned to the blood via
subclavian veins


Major Lymph Nodes
cervical
axillary
inguinal
mesenteric
Cervical
located in neck area
filter lymph from head and neck
Axillary
located in armpits
filter lymph from hand, arm, breast
Inguinal
located in groin area
filter lymph from lower extremities and
external genital organs
Mesenteric
located in abdominal peritoneum
aid in infection control after abdominal
surgery
filter lymph from abdominal cavity
Metastasis
process by which bacteria or body cells are
spread from one body part to another
through lymphatic or circulatory systems
cancer cells migrate to nearby nodes, eg.
breast cancer to axillary nodes -
chemotherapy is necessary once metastasis
occurs

Diffuse Lymphatic Tissue
not enclosed by a capsule
consists of reticular connective tissue that
contains lymphatic nodules
Found in:
- small amounts in almost every organ,
especially mucous membranes that line tracts
of body
Isolated Lymphatic Nodules
(B cells)
oval-shaped concentrations of lymphatic tissue
most are solitary, small, and discrete
Scattered in lamina propria of mucous
membranes of:
- gastrointestinal tract
- respiratory airways
- urinary and reproductive tract

Isolated Lymphatic Nodules
(B cells) (cont.)
when activated by antigens they differentiate
into plasma cells and produce antibodies
against specific antigens
plasma cells secrete IgA antibodies
- provide protection against bacterial and
viral infections in lumen of tracts

Isolated Lymphatic Nodules
(B cells) (cont.)
located in mucus membranes of
gastrointestinal tract
Examples:
- tonsils
- ileum of small intestine (Peyers patches)
- appendix

Tonsils
aggregations of large lymphatic nodules
embedded in mucous membrane
located beneath epithelium of pharynx and
oral cavities
protect nasal and oral cavities
Three types:
- nasopharyngeal tonsils
- palatine tonsils
- lingual tonsils

Nasopharyngeal Tonsils
commonly called adenoids
Located:
- behind nose
- on roof of posterior wall of pharynx
- posterior opening of nasal cavity
Palatine Tonsils
usually referred to as the tonsils
Location:
- back of mouth
- lateral walls of pharynx
most commonly removed - tonsillectomy
Lingual Tonsils
base of tongue
first line of defense from exterior
Spleen
largest lymphatic organ
located in upper left abdominal quadrant
between fundus of stomach and diaphragm
5-6 inches long, 2-3 inches wide
resembles a large lymph node
filters blood
Structure of Spleen
capsule
- covering of dense connective tissue
hilum
- depression on medial surface
- nerves and arteries enter spleen, veins and
lymphatic vessel exit


Structure of Spleen
(cont.)
trabeculae
- extensions of capsule, form partitions
within the spleen
pulp
- tissue inside
- divided into red and white


White Pulp
consists of lymphatic tissue
mostly lymphocytes arranged around central
arteries
Red Pulp
Consists of:
- venous sinuses filled with blood
- cords of splenic tissue
consists of red blood cells, macrophages,
lymphocytes, plasma cells, and granulocytes

Functions of Spleen
phagocytosis of bacteria and worn out or
damaged red blood cells and platelets
stores and releases blood in times of demand,
e.g., hemorrhage
functions in immunity as a site of B cell
proliferation into plasma cells
does not filter lymph because it has no afferent
lymphatic vessels or lymph sinuses
Thymus Gland
two-lobed organ
located in upper part of chest along trachea
inferior to thyroid gland, posterior to sternum
largest and most active during prenatal
period and infancy
after puberty it decreases in size
Thymus Gland
(cont.)
composed of lymphatic tissue
subdivided into lobules
immature T cells originating in the bone
marrow migrate to thymus via blood
in thymus, cells develop into mature T
cells for release into circulation
thymic hormones aid in maturation of T cells

Thymus Gland
(cont.)
mature T cells travel to lymph nodes, spleen,
and diffuse lymphatic tissues where they
reside
responsible for cell-mediated immune
responses
Removal of Thymus
(thymectomy)
can be removed but decreased T-cell
production results
possible acute susceptibility to infection



Removal of Spleen
(splenectomy)

can be removed
other organs, e.g. the liver and bone marrow
can compensate for it
increased susceptibility to disease may result