Development of Lymphatic system

Development of Lymphatic system

• The lymphatic system begins to develop at the end of
week 5, about 2 weeks later than the cardiovascular
system.
• Lymphatic vessels develop in a manner similar to
blood vessels and connect with the venous system.
 Development of Lymph Sacs and Lymphatic Ducts
– In weeks 6-9: local dilatations of the lymphatic
channels form 6 primary lymph sacs
• Two jugular lymph sacs near the junction of the
subclavian veins with the anterior cardinals (future
internal jugular vein)
• Two iliac lymph sacs near the junction of the iliac
veins with the posterior cardinal veins
• One retroperitoneal lymph sac in the root of the
mesentery on the posterior abdominal wall
• One so-called cisterna chyli dorsal to the
retroperitoneal lymph sac, at the level of the
adrenal glands
 Development of Thoracic Duct
• Develops from the caudal part of the right thoracic
duct, the anastomosis between the left and right
thoracic ducts, and the cranial part of the left thoracic
duct.
• As a result, there are many variations in the origin,
course, and termination of the adult thoracic duct.
• The right lymphatic duct is derived from the cranial
part of the right thoracic duct.
 Development of Thoracic Duct
• The thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct connect
with the venous system at the venous angle
between the internal jugular and subclavian veins.
 Development of Lymph vessels
– lymph vessels grow out from the lymph sacs, along
the major veins, to the head, neck, and arms from the
jugular sacs; to the lower trunk and legs from the iliac
sacs; and to the gut from the retroperitoneal and
cisternal sacs
 Development of the Lymph Nodes
– Except for the upper portion of the cisterna chyli, which
persists, the lymph sacs are transformed into groups of
lymph nodes during early fetal life, at about month 3.
• Surrounding mesenchymal cells invade each sac and break it up
into lymphatic channels or sinuses. The mesenchymal cells give
rise to the lymph node capsule and the connective tissue
framework of the node
• The lymphocytes seen in the node before birth come from the
thymus gland
• The lymph nodules and germinal centers of lymphocyte
production do not appear in the lymph nodes until
just before and/or just after birth, as there is no exposure to
foreign antigens.
• Lymph nodes also develop along the course of other lymph
vessels
 Development of Other lymphatic tissues
– The spleen: develops from an aggregation of
mesenchymal cells in the dorsal mesentery of the stomach
– The palatine tonsils: form from the second pair of
pharyngeal pouches
– The tubal (pharyngotympanic) tonsils: develop from
aggregations of lymph nodules around the openings of the
auditory tubes
– The pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids): develop from an
aggregation of lymph nodules in the nasopharyngeal wall
– The lingual tonsils: develop from aggregations of lymph
nodules in the root of the tongue
– Lymph nodules: also develop in the mucosa of the
digestive tract and respiratory tract
 Anomalies of the Lymphatic System

• Congenital anomalies of the lymphatic system are uncommon.

A. Congenital lymphedema- diffuse swelling of a part of the body.
• result from dilation of primordial lymphatic channels or from
congenital hypoplasia of lymphatic vessels.
• diffuse cystic dilation of lymphatic channels involves widespread
portions of the body.

Fig.-congenital lymphedema
 Anomalies of the Lymphatic System
B. Cystic hygroma: large swellings usually appear in the
inferolateral part of the neck and consist of large single or
multilocular, fluid-filled cavities .
•Is abnormal transformation of the jugular lymph sacs.
•a jugular lymph sac- pinched off from lymphatic spaces and
fail to establish connections with the main lymphatic
channels.

Fig. cystic hygroma