Lymphatic

System
Chapter 23
 Introduction
– Components
• Lymph is the fluid
• Vessels – lymphatics
• Structures & organs
– Functions
• Return tissue fluid to the bloodstream
• Transport fats from the digestive tract to the
bloodstream
• Surveillance & defense
 Components of the Lymphatic
24
System
-3•Lymph
• Lymphatic Vessels
– Lymphatic Capillaries
– Lymphatic Vessels
– Lymphatic Trunks
– Lymphatic Ducts
• Lymphatic Organs
– Thymus
– Lymph Nodes
– Spleen
– Tonsils
• Lymphatic cells
 Lymphatics
– Originate as lymph capillaries
– Capillaries unite to form larger vessels
• Resemble veins in structure
• Connect to lymph nodes at various intervals
– Lymphatics ultimately deliver lymph into 2 main
channels
• Right lymphatic duct
– Drains right side of head & neck, right arm, right thorax
– Empties into the right subclavian vein
• Thoracic duct
– Drains the rest of the body
– Empties into the left subclavian vein
 LYMPH TRUNKS

 right and left jugular trunks

 right and left subclavian trunks

 right and left

bronchomediastinal trunks
 right and left lumbar trunks
 LYMPHATIC DUCTS
24
Right
-7 lymphatic duct

 Formed by union of right

jugular, subclavian, and
bronchomediastinal
trunks

 Ends by entering the right

venous angle
 LYMPHATIC
DUCTS
 Thoracic duct
• Begins in front of L1 as a
dilated sac, the cisterna chyli,
• formed by left and right
lumbar trunks and intestinal
trunk
• Enter thoracic cavity &
ascends
• Travels upward, veering to
the left at the level of T5
 DRAINAGE PATTERN
RIGHT LYMPHATIC
DUCT -Receives lymph
from right half of head,
neck, thorax and right
upper limb, right lung, right
side of heart, right surface of
liver
THORACIC DUCT -
Drains lymph from lower
limbs, pelvic cavity,
abdominal cavity, left side
of thorax, and left side of
the head, neck and left
travel along with blood vessels.

1) lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic vessels start with
lymphatic capillaries

lymphatic ducts

lymphatic trunks

lymphatic collecting vessels

lymphatic capillary
- blind ended vessels

- permeable to proteins even cells

The main function
- collect excess large particles and tissue fluid

lymph
Special lymph capillaries --- Lacteals

- collect digested fats ( in chylomicrons)

The Lymphatic System
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Essentially a drainage
system accessory to
venous system

larger particles that escape into

tissue fluid can only be removed
via lymphatic system
 Functions of the Lymphatic System
24
-• Reabsorbs excess interstitial fluid:
17 – returns it to the venous circulation
– maintain blood volume levels
– prevent interstitial fluid levels from rising out of control.

• Transport dietary lipids:

– transported through lacteals
– drain into larger lymphatic vessels
– eventually into the bloodstream.

• lymphocyte development, and the immune response.

Lymph Capillaries
Lymphatic Vessels
Main Channels of
Lymphatics
Major Lymphatic Vessels
of the Trunk
Valves are present to
prevent backflow.
connection to the veins
blockage of lymph
drainage

Lymphedema

- swelling in tissues

- due to tumor pressure,

parasites, or surgery
Elephantiasis

– blockage by
parasitic worms
 LYMPHOID TISSUE
 
- diffusely located throughout body in all organs

- contains germinal centers with dense population of B

lymphocytes

- houses macrophages

- Function: host defense

 Lymph Tissue
– 3 types
• Diffuse lymphatic tissue
– No capsule present
– Found in connective tissue of almost all organs
• Lymphatic nodules
– No capsule present
– Oval-shaped masses
– Found singly or in clusters
• Lymphatic organs
– Capsule present
– Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland
Lymph Nodules
 Lymph Nodes
– Oval structures located along lymphatics
– Enclosed by a fibrous capsule
– Cortex = outer portion
• Germinal centers produce lymphocytes
– Medulla = inner portion
• Medullary cords
– Lymph enters nodes through afferent
lymphatics, flows through sinuses, exits
through efferent lymhpatic
Lymph Node
 Tonsils
– Multiple groups of large lymphatic nodules
– Location – mucous membrane of the oral and
pharyngeal cavities
– Palatine tonsils
• Posterior-lateral walls of the oropharynx
– Pharyngeal tonsil
• Posterior wall of nasopharynx
– Lingual tonsils
• Base of tongue
Tonsils
 Spleen
– Largest lymphatic organ
– Located between the stomach & diaphragm
– Structure is similar to a node
• Capsule present
• But no afferent vessels or sinuses
– Histology
• Red pulp contains all the components of circulating blood
• White pulp is similar to lymphatic nodules
– Functions
• Filters blood
• Stores blood
Spleen
 Thymus Gland
– Location – behind the sternum in the
mediastinum
– The capsule divides it into 2 lobes
– Development
• Infant – conspicuous
• Puberty – maximum size
• Maturity – decreases in size
– Function
• Differentiation and maturation of T cells
Thymus Gland
 LYMPHEDEMA
• Occurs due to
accumulation of
lymphatic fluid in the
interstitial tissue

• Sometimes can be
appreciated after
wearing tight clothing
or jewellary on
affected limb
 LYMPHADENOPATHY

• Means a disease of
the lymph nodes

• Lymph nodes
become swollen/
enlarged and may be
painful to touch
 LYMPHEDEMA
• Occurs due to
accumulation of
lymphatic fluid in the
interstitial tissue

• Sometimes can be
appreciated after
wearing tight clothing
or jewellary on
affected limb
 LYMPHADENOPATHY

• Means a disease of
the lymph nodes

• Lymph nodes
become swollen/
enlarged and may be
painful to touch
 LET’S REVISE
SOME IMPORTANT
FACTS
 QUESTION. 1
• I am a part of lymphatic system and protect the
body by clearing worn out red cells and foreign
bodies from the blood stream. Who am I?

A. Thymus
B. Palatine
Tonsil
C. Spleen
 QUESTION. 2
Which is the correct statement about the
Lymphatic system?

A. It Reabsorbs excess interstitial fluid and

returns it to the venous circulation.

B. Transports dietary lipids through lacteals.

C. Helps in lymphocyte development, and the immune

response.

D. All of the above

 QUESTION. 3

• Which of these is a primary lymphoid organ

?
A. Lymph Node
B. Spleen
C. Tonsil
D. Bone Marrow