Lymphatic System

by: Ema & Anne

Lymphatic System
The lymph system is the body's drainage system. It is composed
of a network of vessels and small structures called lymph nodes.
The lymph vessels convey excess fluid collected from all over
the body back into the blood circulation. Along the way,
however, these fluids are forced to percolate through the lymph
nodes so that they can be filtered.

Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is composed of:
Lymph
Lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic tissue
Lymphatic organs

Lymphatic System
Lymph: a colorless fluid containing white blood cells, that bathes the tissues and
drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.
Lymphatic Vessels: are thin walled, valved structures that carry lymph. As part of the
lymphatic system, lymph vessels are complementary to the cardiovascular system.
Lymphatic Capillaries: are tiny, thin-walled vessels located in the spaces between
cells which serve to drain and process extracellular fluid.
Lymph trunk: Lymph trunk is a lymph vessel that carries lymph, and is formed by
confluence of many efferent lymph vessels. It in turn drains into one of the two lymph
ducts (right lymph duct and the thoracic duct).

Lymphatic System Functio

Provide Immunity: the lymphatic system is defense against invading
microorganisms and disease. Lymph nodes and other lymphatic organs
filter the lymph to remove microorganisms and other foreign particles.
Lymphatic organs contain lymphocytes that destroy invading organisms.
The absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive system
and the subsequent transport of these substances to the venous circulation.
It also acts as a highway, transporting white blood cells to and from the
lymph nodes into the bones
Collect and transport tissue fluids from the intercellular spaces in all the
tissues of the body back to the veins in the blood system; it plays an
important role in returning plasma proteins to the bloodstream

Lymphatic Organs
Lymphatic Organs: Includes Lymph Nodes, Spleen, Tonsils, and Thymus
Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes are specialized
masses of tissue that are situated along lymphatic
system pathways. These structures filter lymph
fluid before returning it to the blood. Lymph nodes,
lymph vessels, and other lymphatic organs help
to prevent fluid buildup in tissues, defend against
infection, and maintain normal blood volume
and pressure in the body.

Lymphatic Organs cont.

Spleen: is the organ that is responsible for both the storage and purification of red
blood cells. The spleen purifies the blood and helps the immune system to recognize
and attack foreign pathogens and allergens. It is the largest organ of the lymphatic
system.
Tonsils: helps to fight infections. However, removal of the tonsils does not seem to
increase susceptibility to infection. By the age of 11, your tonsils will begin to shrink
and the chance of them becoming infected lessens.
Thymus: when its active it helps the body protect itself. The thymus is instrumental
in the production and maturation of T-lymphocytes (T cells), a specific type of white
blood cell that protects the body from certain threats, including viruses and infections.

Lymphatic Organs cont.

The thymus shrinks and is replaced by fatty
tissue after puberty. Fortunately, the thymus
produces all of your T cells by the time you
reach puberty.
The lymph nodes bulge out in the presence
of an infection
About 2 litres of lymph fluid circulate in the
body every day while collecting, destroying
and eliminating foreign agents and disease
causing microbes

Lymphatic System Pathways

Lymphatic Capillaries to
Lymphatic Vessels to
Lymph Nodes to
Lymphatic Vessels to
Lymphatic Trunk to
Collecting Duct to
Subclavian Vein

Diseases
Lymphedema: Chronic swelling of limbs
Damaged/not properly functioning = accumulation of lymph fluid
Hodgkins Lymphoma: Cancer
Damaged/diseased white blood cells
Castleman Disease:
Benign tumors that affect lymph nodes
Similar to lymphoma
Chemotherapy
Localized: stomach and chest
Multicentric: localized + lymphoid-containing organs (spleen)

Sepsis
Whole-body inflammation (infection)
Symptoms:
increased heart rate
increased breathing rate
confusion
fever
Specific Infection Symptoms
cough (pneumonia)
painful urination (kidney infection)
Severity
insufficient blood flow (low blood pressure, high blood lactate, low urine output)
Septic shock: LBP after intravenous fluids are given
poor organ function

Sepsis Cont.
Life-threatening
18 million per year worldwide
30-50%
Antibiotics:
Kills sepsis-inducing microbes
Drug resistant microbes (overuse)
Doesnt neutralize toxins (pathogens)

Artificial Spleen

DARPA: Dialysis-Like Therapeutics (DLT)

Artificial spleen
Shoebox-sized prototype
Removes of toxins and microbes that can trigger sepsis
Works outside of body
Blood is funneled from a vein into the machine, clean then returned
Device
Series of microfluidic channels (blood vessels)
Two adjacent channels
Blood
Saline solution
Process:
Blood enters and mixed with tiny magnetic beads cover in mannose binding lectin (MBL)
Sepsis-inducing microbes and toxins stick to the beads
Magnets pull beads out through slits and into saline solution for collection and removal
Developing more portable version

Artificial Spleen

Thymus

Spleen

Bibliography
http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/ss/lymph-nodes.htm
http://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/lymphatic/components/
http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/spleen
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/lymphatic/lymph-system.htm
http://www.darpa.mil/newsevents/releases/2014/09/15.aspx
http://www.livescience.com/26983-lymphatic-system.html