Lymphatic

System
LYMPHATIC ORGANS
Introduction
A system composed of
1. Lymphoid Organs (lymph nodes, tonsils,
thymus, spleen)
2. Lymphoid Tissues
3. Lymphatic Vessels
4. Lymph
Performs important functions
such as
 Immunity & defense
 Repairing
 Clearing
 Transportation
How It Works?
Certain fluids passes through the capillary
membrane into tissue space. They become
tissue fluid.
Most of the tissue fluids formed by blood
capillaries return to blood circulation.
10-20% of these fluids pass into lymph
vessels and become lymph.
Lymphatic Capillaries
Lymph
Composition closely resembles blood
plasma but with lower concentration of
proteins
Transparent and colorless except for lymph
fluids from intestines which are milky in
color.
Lymphatic Organs
1. Lymphatic Capillaries

Microscopic
 vessels in tissue space which
anastomose with each other to form networks.

Endothelial
 cells are not tightly joined to permit the
movement. Their edges overlap each other to form
the opening junction.
Forms
 a one way valve
Slightly larger and more permeable than
blood capillaries.

Return the proteins back to blood

Exist throughout the body except splenic

pulp, bone marrow, epidermis, hair, nails,
cornea, lens, cartilages and CNS.
Lymphatic Capillaries
2.Lymphatic Vessels

Formed
 by the union of lymphatic capillaries.

They
 resembles veins but have thinner walls with more

valves.

During
 their path great number of lymph nodes are present.

Subcutaneous
 travels with subcutaneous veins while deep

travels with arteries.

Communicating branches between superficial
deep lymphatic vessels.
Speed of lymph is one tenth of the blood.
Large number of valves are there to maintain
the speed
Lymphatic Vessels
Lymphatic Trunks:

Formed
 by union of larger lymphatic

collecting vessels.

Named
 mostly for the region from where

they collect lymph.

Lymphatic Ducts:
Lymph is finally delivered to one of the
major ducts
In thoracic and cervical region
( thoracic and right lymphatic)
Lymphatic Ducts
 Principal trunks pass their lymph into two large
ducts
 Thoracic and right lymphatic duct
 Each duct empties lymph into venous circulation
at venous angle (junction of internal jugular vein
and subclavian vein)
 Thus lymph is drained back into blood.
Lymphatic Ducts:
Thoracic Duct
 Largest duct. 30-40cm in length and 3mm in diameter.
 Starts from L1 as dilated Cisterna Chyli which receives
intestinal trunk and a pair of lumbar trunks.
 It ascends passes through aortic hiatus in diaphragm
behind aorta and enters posterior mediastinum where it

lies b/w vertebral column and esophagus.

At T5 it crosses to left of vertebral column
At root of neck it receives
 subclavian trunk,
 left jugular trunks and
 left brachio mediastinal trunk.
Here it makes an arch of thoracic duct and
enters the venous angle.
It receives lymph from:
1. Left side of head, neck and chest
2. Left upper limb
3. Abdomen
4. Pelvis
5. Two lower limbs
Thoracic Duct
Thoracic Duct
Right Lymphatic Duct:

Short duct. About 1-1.5cm long and 2mm in

diameter.
It is united by
 right jugular trunk,
 right subclavian trunk and
 right brachiomediastinal trunk.
Sometimes the three lymphatic trunks may
open separately into right jugular or
subclavian veins
It receives lymph from:
1. Right side of head, neck and chest
2. Right upper limb
Body area Drained by Thoracic
Duct and Right Lymphatic Duct:
Lymph Nodes
Lymph Nodes

Small round and bean shaped

Located along lymphatic vessels
Grayish pink in color, 5-25mm in length
Depression on one side the hilum.
Lymph enters the convex surface through
afferent vessels and leaves through efferent
vessels..
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

MAJOR LYMPH NODES

• cervical
• axillary
• inguinal
• mesenteric
Clinical Notes

Lymphocytes and Plasmocytes

Regional Lymph Nodes,

Infections and metastasis.
Lymph Nodes and Lymph
Drainage of upper limb:

It is composed of superficial

lymphatic vessels, deep lymphatic
vessels and lymph nodes.
Superficial lymphatic vessels drain
lymph of skin an subcutaneous fascia.
Deep lymphatic vessels drain lymph of
muscles , tendons, bones and joints.
These lymph vessels empty mainly into
regional lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are mainly concentrated
mainly at elbow and axillary fossa.
Lymph Nodes and Lymph
Drainage of upper limb:
Cubital Lymph Nodes
One or two in number
Located near elbow and medial epicondyle
of humerus.
Receives lymph of lymphatic vessels along
basilic vein and ulnar blood vessel.
It empties into axillary lymph nodes.
Cubital Lymph Nodes
 Axillary Lymph Nodes
15-20
 lymph nodes in axillary fossa, around axillary

blood vessels and are divides in to 5 groups:

1.Lateral lymph nodes. Located along axillary vein,

receives lymph from superficial and deep lymphatic

vessels of upper limb.

1. Subscapular lymph nodes: along
subscapular artery. Receives lymph from
posterior part of neck and thoracic wall.
2. Central lymph nodes: embedded in fat
near base of axillary artery. Receive lymph
from lateral lymph nodes, pectoral lymph
nodes and subscapular lymph nodes.
3. Apical lymph nodes: located along
proximal part s of axillary artery and vein.
Receives lymph from central lymph nodes
and superior portions of mammary gland.
Efferent vessels of these lymph nodes empty
into subclavian trunk.
References: 42

A Textbook of (Atlas of Human Anatomy)

07/25/2021
5th Edition by Frank H. Netter, MD.
Textbook of (Clinical Anatomy by Regions
9th Edition) Richard Snell, MD, PhD.
 MCQ’S QUESTIONS
1. How many types of lymph nodes are present in axillary
fossa:
(a) 15-20
(b) 20-25
(c) 10-15
2. Lateral lymph nodes are Located along:
(a) Axillary artery
(b) Axillary Veins
(c) Both (a) & (b)

3. The Cubital Lymph Nodes are ------- in numbers:

(a) one or Two
(b) Two or Three
(c) Three or four
4. Lymph Nodes are composed of -------vessels of
lymphatics:
(a) Deep
(b) Superficial
(c) Both (a) & (b)

5. Cubital Lymph Nodes are located near ------

epicondyle of the humerus:
(a) Medial
(b) Lateral
(c) Both (a) & (b)
 MCQ’s Answer’s Key
1st (a)
2nd (a)
3rd (a)
4th (c)
5th (a)

SCQ’s

Question:
Explain the Lateral Cervical Lymph nodes ?