lations of lymphatic tissue that are n is primarily to act as filters. They the blood and lymph. For this purpose, noid tissue in the nodes also produces ly occur in clusters along the groin, the lower Lymph nodes are small, round specialized dil permeated by lymphatic channels. Their functio help remove and destroy antigens that circulate in lymph nodes contain a lot of macrophages. Lymp antibodies and stores lymphocytes. Note: The nodes general the connecting lymphatic vessels particularly in the armpits, abdomen, and the sides of the neck. Each lymph node is enclosed in a fibrous capsule with internal trabeculae (connective tissue) supporting lymphoid tissue and lymph sinuses. e node consists of: ; sake os Outer (superficial) cortical region: contains separate masses of Da ee called lymphoid follicles. Primary follicles are not responding to antigen. T ty si ~ uniformly. Secondary follicles contain lightly staining germinal centers; they active follicles responding to antigen and are a source of DE ee ae + Paracortical region: is dominated by T cells. B cells enter the node from in thi i i i ficial cortex. this region and quickly migrate to the super! : , ne meialiary region: lymphoid tissue here is arranged in medullary coe which are a source of plasma cells (they secrete antibodies). Also contains medul- ary sinuses. i i secondary. Lymph from a particular Lymph nodes can be classified as primary or a aie region drains into a primary node or regional node. Primary nos secondary node or central node. The thoracic duct is the main duct of the lymphatic system and is located in the posterior mediastinum. It begins below in the abdomen as a dilated sac, the cisterna chyli (at the level of the T12 vertebra) and ascends through the thoracic cavity in front of the spinal column. It is the common trunk of all the lymphatic vessels of the body, and drains the lymph from the majority of the body (legs, abdomen, left side of head, left arm, and left thorax), Note: The right lymphatic duct drains much less of the body lymph (only the lymph from the right arm, right thorax, and right side of the head). Important: The thoracic duct is approximately 40 cm long and transports lymph from the entire lower half of the body and left upper quadrant. It empties into the left venous angle between the ieft internal jugular vein and the left subclavian vein (which is actually the beginning of the left brachiocephalic vein). The right lymphatic duct is approximately | cm long and collects lymph from the right upper quadrant of the body and empties into the right venous angle at the junction of the right internal jugular vein with the right subclavian vein (which is actually the beginning of the right brachiocephalic vein). the right side of the descending aorta. 2. The thoracic duct contains valves and ascends between the aorta and the azygos vein in the thorax. 3. The intercostal lymphatic vessels transport lymph from the left and right intercostal snaces to the thoracic duct. / 1. The thoracic duct ascends through the aortic opening in the diaphragm, on Meu