Lymphatic System

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israrswat96@gmail.com
Lymphatic System
ISRAR HUSSAIN YOUSAFZAI
BS (ANESTHESIA) CRT PGDRT MSPH
SENIOR RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, HMC PESHAWAR
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Outline
1. Lymphatic system introduction

2. Location and functions of lymphatic system
3. Structure and functions of lymph nodes
4. Composition and functions of lymph
5. Structure and functions of lymphatic organs:
1. Spleen
2. Thymus
3. Tonsils
6. References
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Introduction
 Closed system of lymph channels or

vessels, through which lymph flows
 It is a one-way system that allow the
lymph flow from tissue spaces towards
blood
 Arises as a meshwork of delicate
vessels – lymph capillaries
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Lymph Capillaries
 Arise from tissue spaces as enlarged terminals – capillary bulbs

 Bulbs contain valves, allow unidirectional flow of lymph
 Some muscle fibers present around bulbs, pushing lymph by contraction
 These are more porous to move fluid back and forth
 Capillaries unite to form large lymphatic vessels
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Drainage
 Lymphatic vessels become larger and larger

along their course and form right lymphatic
and thoracic duct
 Right lymphatic duct opens into right
subclavian vein
 Thoracic duct opens into left subclavian vein
 Thoracic duct drains > 2/3 of tissue spaces in
body
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Locations
Present Absent
1. Deeper layers of skin 1. Superficial layers of skin
2. Subcutaneous tissues 2. Central nervous system
3. Diaphragm 3. Cornea
4. Wall of abdominal cavity 4. Bones
5. All tracts 5. Alveoli
6. Liver
7. Heart
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Functions of Lymphatic System
1. Remove excess fluids from body tissues

2. Absorption of fatty acids and their transport to circulatory system
3. Production of immune cells i.e. lymphocytes, monocytes and plasma
cells
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Lymph Nodes
 Small glandular structures located along the course of lymph vessels –

lymph glands
 Each node is covered by dense connective tissue capsule
 The structures are arranged in three layers:
1. Cortex
2. Para cortex
3. Medulla
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Cortex
 Consists of primary and secondary lymphoid follicles

 When some antigens enter body and reach to lymph nodes, cells of
primary follicle proliferate and become secondary follicle
 Cortex also contains some B lymphocytes and macrophage
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Para Cortex & Medulla
 Cortex is present in b/w cortex and

medulla
 It contains T lymphocytes
 Medulla contains B and T
lymphocytes, macrophages
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Lymph Nodes
 Lymph node receives lymph by one or two lymphatic vessels –

afferent vessels
 It divide into small channels
 Lymph passes through these vessels and reaches to cortex
 It circulates through out lymph node and leaves node via one or
two efferent vessels
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Locations
 Elbow
 Axilla
 knee
 Breast
 Groin
 Neck
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Functions of Lymph Nodes
 When lymph passes through the nodes, remove water and electrolytes
 But, proteins and lipids are retained in lymph
 Bacteria and other toxic substances are destroyed by macrophages
 Because of this, lymph nodes are called defense barriers
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Lymph
 When blood pass through tissues, 1/10 enter into lymph capillaries
while 9/10 enter into venous end
 Proteins of interstitial fluid cannot enter into blood capillaries, so
enter into lymph vessels
 When lymph passes through lymph nodes, it is concentrated due to
absorption of water and electrolytes
 About 120mL/hr of lymph flow into blood (100 thoracic and 20 right
lymphatic duct)
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Functions of Lymph
 Return proteins from tissue spaces into blood

 Redistribution of fluid in body
 Bacteria, toxins and other foreign bodies are removed from tissues
 Intestinal fats absorption – appears milky after fatty meal
 Immunity by transport of lymphocytes
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Lymphatic Organs
1. Spleen
2. Thymus
3. Tonsils
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Spleen
 Largest lymphoid organ in body and are highly vascular

 Situated in left hypochondrial region
 Upper left abdomen, behind stomach and below diaphragm
 Covered by outer serous coat and inner fibro muscular capsule
 Parenchyma of spleen is divided into red and white pulp
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Spleen
Red Pulp
 Consists of venous sinus and cords of blood cells, macrophages and
mesenchymal cells
White Pulp
 It has central artery, surrounded by splenic corpuscles or Malpighian
corpuscles
 Corpuscles are formed by lymphatic sheath containing lymphocytes
and macrophages
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Functions of Spleen
Formation of Blood Cells

 In embryo, during hepatic stage, spleen produces blood cells along
with liver
Blood Reservoir
 Large number of RBCs are stored in spleen
 RBCs released into circulation during emergency conditions like
hypoxia and hemorrhage
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Functions of Spleen
Destruction of Blood Cells

 Older blood cells are destroyed in spleen
 When cells become old, its cell membrane become fragile
 Diameter of capillaries is less or equal to that of cells
 Fragile old cells are destroyed while trying to pass through these
capillaries
 So, spleen is known as graveyard of blood cells
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Functions of Spleen
Role in Defense
 Spleen filters blood by removing microorganisms
 Macrophages in splenic pulp destroy microorganisms and other
foreign bodies by phagocytosis
 Spleen contains about 25% of T lymphocytes and 15% of B
lymphocytes and forms site of antibody production
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Thymus
 Situated in front of trachea and below thyroid gland

 Small in newborn and gradually enlarges till puberty, then decreases
in size with age
Functions
 Development of immunity:
 Processing of T lymphocytes
 Endocrine function
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Thymus
Processing of T Lymphocytes
 The lymphocytes which are produced in bone marrow are
processed in thymus into T lymphocytes
 It occurs during the period between 3 months before birth and 3
months after birth
 So, the removal of thymus 3 months after birth, will not affect the
cell-mediated immunity
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Thymus
Endocrine Function – secretes two hormones:

1. Thymosin – accelerates lymphopoiesis and proliferation of T
lymphocytes
2. Thymin or thymopoietin
 Suppresses neuromuscular activity by inhibiting acetylcholine
release
 Hyperactivity of thymus causes myasthenia gravis
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Tonsils
 Set of lymphoid organs facing into aerodigestive tract in form

of Waldeyer’s ring:
1. An adenoid tonsil – Roof of nasopharynx
2. Two tubal tonsils – Roof of oropharynx
3. Two palatine tonsils – sides of oropharynx
4. Lingual tonsil – behind tongue
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Function of Tonsils
 First line of defense against ingested or inhaled pathogens

 Engorge with blood to assist immune responses to common
illnesses such (common cold)
 It have specialized antigen capture cells – Microfold cell (M cells)
 M cells alert B&T cells of tonsil to start immune response
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References
1. Essentials of Medical Physiology K Sembulingam, Prema Sembulingam
2. Concise Physiology Dr. Raja Shahzad Gull
3. https://youtube.com/@israryousafzai8970
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1. Lymphatic system introduction

 Closed system of lymph channels or

 Arise from tissue spaces as enlarged terminals – capillary bulbs

 Lymphatic vessels become larger and larger

1. Remove excess fluids from body tissues

 Small glandular structures located along the course of lymph vessels –

 Consists of primary and secondary lymphoid follicles

 Cortex is present in b/w cortex and

 Lymph node receives lymph by one or two lymphatic vessels –

 Return proteins from tissue spaces into blood

 Largest lymphoid organ in body and are highly vascular

Formation of Blood Cells

Destruction of Blood Cells

 Situated in front of trachea and below thyroid gland

Endocrine Function – secretes two hormones:

 Set of lymphoid organs facing into aerodigestive tract in form

 First line of defense against ingested or inhaled pathogens

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