ANATOMY OF LYMPHATIC SYSTEM Mario Makarević 2nd year 2013/2014 Mentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

Lymph fluid similar to blood plasma filters out of blood vessels no erythrocytes or platelets less proteins more leukocytes filters out of blood vessels lymph capillaries collect interstitial fluid

Composition lymphatic vessels lymphatic organs lymphatic tissue

Lymphatic vessels lymph capillary single layer of overlapping endothelial cells blind end absent from brain, spinal cord, splenic pulp, bone marrow located next to blood capillaries in tissue spaces

Lymphatic vessels lymph vessels afferent and efferent three-layered wall thinner than vein semilunar valves, contractile lymphangion

Lymphatic vessels lymph trunks confluence of many efferent lymph vessels jugular lymph trunks subclavian lymph trunks bronchomediastinal lymph trunks lumbar lymph trunks intestinal lymph trunk—unpaired

Lymphatic vessels lymph ducts right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct return fluid to blood

right lymphatic duct about 1.5 cm in length right venous angle lymph from right half of head, neck, thorax and right upper limb

thoracic duct about 38-45 cm in length > front of L1 as cisterna chyli – emulsified fats and free fatty acids absorbed by lacteals > aortic hiatus of the diaphragm > ascends along on the front of the vertebral column, between thoracic aorta and azygos vein > left venous angle

Lymph nodes collections of stationary lymph tissue from a few millimeters to about 1–2 cm long fibrous capsule afferent lymph vessels entering at the periphery, efferent lymph vessels emerging at the hilum cortex and medulla

Cortex outer region directly beneath capsule densely packed lymphocytes (B-cells) arranged in follicles – germinal center when challenged with an antigen deeper cortex – T-cells subcapsular sinus drains into trabecular

Medulla inner region strands called medullary cords – B-cells, macrophages and plasma cells large blood vessels medullary sinuses

Major sites of lymph node concentration cervical – head and neck axillary – hand, arm and breast mediastinal – abdominal cavity inguinal – lower extremities and external genital organs

Diffuse lymphatic tissue not enclosed by a capsule reticular connective tissue with lymphatic nodules almost every organ, lamina propria of mucous membranes tonsils, Peyer’s patches, appendix

Lymph circulation must be returned to blood stream to maintain blood volume and pressure antibodies, lymphocytes, and monocytes obstruction leads to edema

Lymph circulation no central pump slow movement lymph is kept moving by: contraction of adjacent skeletal muscle and arterial pulsation contraction of smooth muscles – peristalsis

Metastasis bacteria or body cells spread from one body part to another breast cancer to axillary nodes chemotherapy

Sources http://www.innerbody.com/image/lympov.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphatic_system https://www.boundless.com/physiology/the-lymphatic-system/ http://www.cea1.com/anatomy-sistems/lymph-capillaries/