LYMPHATIC CIRCULATION

REVISED 2011
AN OVERVIEW

Assoc Prof dr. HAMIADJI T. Sp Anat.

HT. SEPTEMBER 2011.

 LECTURE OUTLINE
1. INTRODUCTION
2. LYMPHATIC AREAS
3. THE LYMPH NODE
4. REGIONAL (PALPABLE) LYMPH NODES
5. THORACIC DUCT & RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT
6. AREAS WITH NO LYMPH VESSELS
7. LYMPHATIC ORGANS
LYMPH (means clear spring water)
Every day 30L of fluid pass from the capillaries to tissue space. Only 27L will
be reabsorbed into the capillaries. If the 3Lof fluid is allowed to accumulate
swelling of tissue space results (edema). This 3L of fluid will be forced into
lymphatic capillaries then lymph vessels into venous blood.
 Functions of the lymphatic
system
Acts as a "sponge" to reabsorb the fluid
I (lymph) from the interstitial space
N
T
R Destruction of bacteria and removal of
O foreign particles BY phagocytosis by
D
U
macrophages that are present in the lymph
C nodes.
T
I Specific immune responses: In response to
O
N the presence of bacteria or other foreign
substances, lymphocytes and other plasma
cells participate in specific immune responses
such as the production of antibodies.

FATS & FAT soluble vitamins are absorbed

into LACTEALS-lymphatic vessels of VILLI of
SMALL INTESTINE
 Flow of the Lymph( FACTORS
CONTROLLING)
I Contraction of the skeletal muscles.
N
T
R The pulsation of the nearby arteries -
O compress lymph vessels and move the
D
U
lymph within them.
C
T The presence of the valves permitting
I the lymph to move only in the direction
O
N of the blood stream.

Pressure( INTRA-THORACIC) changes

due to the contraction of respiratory
muscles.
 THE LYMPHATIC CIRCULATION
(PALPABLE NODES)

L
Y
M
P
H
A
T
I
C
A
R
E
A
S
 LYMPH VESSELS & NODES

L
Y
M
P
H
N
O
D
E
S
 LYMPH VESSELS & NODES
LYMPHATIC VESSELS (LIKE VEINS)
The inner layer -elongated endothelial cells.
The middle layer--smooth muscle and fine elastic
fibers The external layer- connective tissue
THEY HAVE VALVES ALSO--
DIFFERENCE FROM VEINS--THINNER, MORE
ANASTOMOSIS, MORE NUMBER OF VALVES
L SUPERFICIAL VESSELS ACCOMPANY VEINS, DEEP
Y VESSELS ACCOMPANY ARTERIES & THEIR vena
M commitante.
P
H
N
O
D
E
S

An afferent lymphatic vessel near a

lymph node. The lymph vessel is lined
with endothelium and has a valve that
opens toward the node.
 LYMPH NODES STRUCTURE OF LYMPH NODE (Oval or
Bean shaped with hilus; 1mm to 1 inch)
1. STROMA connective tissue Capsule
(collagen), TRABECULAE divide node into
COMPARTMENTS. On Trabeculae
Reticular fibres (RETICULAR cells called
L APCs Antigen Presenting Cells).
Y
M
P 2. PARENCHYMA (a) CORTEX: Follicles
H containing APCs and B-LYMPHOCYTES.
N PRIMARYLYMPHOID FOLLICLES without
O germinal center. SECONDARY LYMPHOID
D
FOLLICLES- pale spherical center called
E
S GERMINAL CENTRE. Here B lymphocytes by
cell division--PLASMA CELLS-secrete
ANTIBODIES OR IMMUNOGLOBULINS)

(b) PARACORTICAL ZONE: contains T lymphocytes and APCs (zone of T

cells-THYMIC DEPENDENT ZONE).
(c) MEDULLA: COLUMNS (CORDS) of cells mainly PLASMOCYTES (the cells
that produce immunoglobulin)
STRUCTURE OF LYMPH NODE
(Oval or Bean shaped hilus; 1mm
to 1 inch)
1. STROMA connective tissue
Capsule (collagen), TRABECULAE
divide node into COMPARTMENTS.
On Trabeculae Reticular fibres
(RETICULAR cells called APCs
L
Antigen Presenting Cells). Y
M
P
2. PARENCHYMA (a) CORTEX: H
Follicles containing APCs and B- N
LYMPHOCYTES. PRIMARY LYMPHOID O
D
FOLLICLES without germinal E
center. SECONDARY LYMPHOID S
FOLLICLES- pale spherical center (b) PARACORTICAL ZONE: contains T
called GERMINAL CENTRE. Here B lymphocytes and APCs (zone of T cells-
lymphocytes by cell division-- THYMIC DEPENDENT ZONE).
PLASMA CELLS-secrete (c) MEDULLA: COLUMNS (CORDS) of cells mainly
ANTIBODIES OR PLASMOCYTES (the cells that produce
IMMUNOGLOBULINS) immunoglobulin)
 AXILLARY LYMPH NODES

R
E
G
I
O
N
A
L

L
Y
M
P
H
N
O
The Lymph Drainage of the Upper
D
E Limbs: 1.Superficial lymph vessels:
S accompany the CEPHALIC or BASILIC
VEINS --> APICAL & LATERAL GR. OF
AXILLARY lymph nodes.
2. Deep lymph vessels accompany deep
veins ---->LATERAL axillary lymph nodes
 INGUINAL LYMPH NODES
The Lymph Drainage
of the Lower Limbs:
R 1.Superficial lymph
E vessels:
G ACCOMPANYING LONG
I SAPHENOUS VEIN-->
O vertical group of the
N
A
superficial inguinal
L lymph nodes. Vessels
that accompany SHORT
SAPHENOUS VEIN -->
L
Y POPLITEAL LYMPH
M NODES
P 2.Deep lymph vessels
H accompany DEEP VEINS
N (FEMORAL)-->
O POPLITEAL & DEEP
D
INGUINAL LYMPH
E
S NODES

Inguinal nodes drain lymph: Abdominal

wall below umbilicus, external genitals and
perineum, gluteal region, and lower limb.
 CERVICAL LYMPH NODES
The Lymph
R
Nodes of the
E
G Head and Neck--
I superficial
O structures of the
N head and neck are
A drained -->SMALL
L
L.NODES ON
cheek, in front of
L the ear on the
Y parotid gland,
M
P
behind the ear, at
H the back of the
N head, and under
O the chin. --->
D
E
EFFERENTS FROM THEM DRAIN TO DEEP
S
CERVICAL NODES (20-30) large size: they
form a chain along the carotid sheath and
mainly internal jugular vein.
 THE THORACIC DUCT
(AND RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT)

Right lymphatic duct

Thoracic duct
T
H LYMPHATIC TRUNKS
O
THORACIC DUCT- LONGEST LYMPHATIC
R
A TRUNK 45 cms long EXTENDS FROM L-2
C VERTEBRA TO ROOT OF NECK
I BEGINS-FRONT OF L-2 VERTEBRA BY A
C TRIANGULAR DILATATION- CISTERNA
D CHYLI ENTERS ABDOMEN VIA AORTIC
U OPENING -RUNS UPWARDS IN POST.
C
THORACIC WALL OPENS AT THE JUNCTION
T
OF LEFT SUBCLAVIAN & INTERNAL
JUGULAR VEINS

NOTE: The cisterna chyli receives the

Lumbar and Intestinal trunks
 THE THORACIC DUCT
(AND RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT)

The THORACIC DUCT is the

T
common trunk of all the lymphatic
H
O vessels of the body, excepting those
R on the right side of the head, neck
A and thorax, and right upper
C
I extremity.
C HENCE IT DRAINS BOTH LOWER
D LIMB, PELVIC CAVITY, WHOLE OF
U
ABDOMEN EXCEPT RIGHT PART OF
C
T LIVER, LEFT LUNG & LEFT HALF OF
THORAX, LEFT UPPER LIMB, LEFT
SIDE OF HEAD & NECK
 Lymphatic
capillaries are
A
more permeable
R than blood
E capillaries.
A Interstitial fluid
S including proteins
+ micro-organisms
W can enter these
I vessels and
T transported
H throughout the
lymphatic system.
N
O

V LYMPHATICS ARE
E
ABSENT IN CENTRAL
S
S NERVOUS SYSTEM,
E BONE MARROW,
L EPIDERMIS, HAIR,
S NAILS, CORNEA &
CARTILAGES
 LYMPH VESSELS & NODES

A
R
E
A
S

W
I
T
H

N
O

V
E
S
S
E
L
S
DESEASES OF LYMPHATICS
 Lymphatic Capillaries
The lymphatic capillaries
form a network of tiny THIN
tubes, SIMPLE SQUAMUS
ENDOTHELIUM (NO
BASEMENT MEMBRANE)
FENESTRATIONS.
FOUND IN tissue spaces and
just under the skin.

Because of this structural

arrangement, lymphatic
capillaries are more
permeable than blood
capillaries. Interstitial fluid
including proteins + micro-
organisms can enter these
vessels and transported
throughout the lymphatic
system.
 If blocked
lymphedema
develops, e.g.
following surgery or
radiation.
lymphangitis
(inflammation of the
lymphatic vessels)-
FINE RED LINES
BENEATH SKIN
 ONE-WAY VALVES
CONTINUED FLOW OF
LYMPH AWAY FROM TISSUES
Pressure from the
surrounding FLUID allows
fluid to enter CAPILLARIES,
but not to leave.
Similarly, these vessels may
transport CANCER CELLS ,
PROMOTE SPREAD TO
OTHER TISSUES/ORGANS
LYMPHATICS ORGANS
 Mononuclear phagocytic system and
lymphoreticular system are synonymous with
RES.
The reticuloendothelial system is divided into
primary and secondary lymphoid organs.

PRIMARY LYMPHOID ORGANS:

ONE IN WHICH LYMPHOCYTES DEVELOP
(regulate the production and differentiation
of lymphocytes) --BONE MARROW,
THYMUS

SECONDARY LYMPHOID ORGANS:

WHERE LYMPHOCYTES RESIDE AND
ENCOUNTER ANTIGENS- SPLEEN, TONSIL,
LYMPH NODES, MALT (respiratory or bronchial -
associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and
gastrointestinal tracts (GALT= PEYERS
PATCHES IN ILEUM), trap ANTIGENS entering
various mucous membranes.
 THE
LYMPHOPOIESIS
HT 2008 H
S S

B NK
T

TISSUES:
Lymph node
T T T B Liver NK
Spleen etc.
Circulation

Formation of lymphocytes T T cell (85%)

H Hemocytoblast B B cell (10%)
S Lymphoid Stem cell NK Normal Killer cell (5%)
Functions of THYMUS

Undifferentiated (immature)
lymphocytes migrate from the
bone marrow to the thymus &
become immunocompetent T-
lymphocytes
It forms antibodies in the
newborn, and plays a major role in
the early development of the
immune system. THYMUS
1. Arises from endoderm of the third
The thymus is also an endocrine and fourth pharyngeal pouches & LIE
gland: Thymocytes secrete a IN SUP. MEDIASTINUM BEHIND
STERNUM
group of hormones collectively 2. While its relative size is greatest in
called THYMOSIN WHICH newborn, its absolute size is greatest
CONTROL the production, the at puberty after which atrophy
differentiation and the maturation occurs and its cortex is replaced by
fatty tissue..
of the lymphocytes in the thymus.
THE SPLEEN
SPLEEN-It is the largest lymphoid
organ
Position: It is located in the upper part
on the left side of the abdominal cavity,
just below the diaphragm and the 9th,
10th, 11th left coastal cartilages.

FUNCTIONS;
PHAGOCYTOSIS-OLD & ABNORMAL
ERYTHROCYTES ARE DESTROYED IN SPLEEN &
BILIRUBIN & IRON PASSED TO LIVER VIA PORTAL
VEIN.
ALSO PLATELETS & WBC ARE PHAGOCYTOSED
STORAGE OF BLOOD-350 ML -DURING
HAEMORRHAGE COME BACK TO CIRCULATION
IMMUNE RESPONSE--T & B LYMPHOCYTES In
spleen are activated By Presence Of Antigen
ERYTHROPOIESIS-IN FETAL LIFE
 THE SPLEEN

Functions:
There are three major functions of the spleen and these are handled by three
different tissues within the spleen.
1.Reticuloendothelial tissue - concerned with phagocytosis of erythrocytes and cell
debris from the blood stream. This same tissue may produce foci of haemopoiesis
when RBC's are needed.
2. Venous sinusoids along with the power of the spleen to contract, provides a
method for expelling the contained blood to meet increased circulatory demands in
certain animals.
3. White pulp provides lymphocytes and a source of plasma cells and hence
antibodies for the cellular and humoral specific immune defenses.
 THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
ATTENTION

HT. September 2011.

 INTRODUCTION TO
THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
(LYMPHATIC TISSUE)

ORGANS THAT CONTAIN MUCH LYMPHOID TISSUE

ARE CALLED LYMPHOID ORGANS
 Nodular

Diffuse

Germinal center

Lymphoid (lymphatic)
tissue can be:
Nodular with or without
Germinal centers
or
Diffuse
MALT(mucous membrane
associated LT): ( bronchial -
associated lymphoid tissue
(BALT) and gastrointestinal
tracts (GALT=PEYERS
PATCHES IN ILEUM), trap
ANTIGENS entering various
mucous membranes.
Mononuclear Phagocytic System
(MPS) and lymphoreticular
system are synonymous with RES.
The reticuloendothelial system is
divided into primary and
secondary lymphoid (lymphatic)
organs.

A tonsil is a collection
of lymphoid tissue
under a mucosa
Afferent lymphatic
vessels
Subcapsular sinus
Nodular cortex
Para nodular area (T
lymphocytes)
Medullary cord
Efferent lymphatic
vessels (in hilus)
Each lobule has a
cortical & medullary
sinus
Hassells corpuscles
Blood vessels
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