1. Chapter 10 Lymph Fluid Professor A. S. Alhomida
King Saud University
College of Science
Department of Biochemistry
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Chapter 10 Lymph Fluid Professor A. S. Alhomida

2. Lymphatic System Lymph Lymphatic Vessels
Several structure and organs that contain lymphatic tissue
Red Bone Marrow

3. Lymphatic System, Cont’d

4. Lymphatic System Functions
Acts as a one-way drainage system to transport excess fluid from body tissues into the blood system
Contains cells which fight infection (lymphocytes)
Gets rid of waste products (chemicals) produced by cells

5. Lymphatic System Functions, Cont’d
Transporting dietary lipids
Facilitating immune responses
Nonspecific Resistance to disease
Includes defense mechanisms that provide immediate, but general, protection against pathogens
Immunity
Develops more slowly and involves the activation of lymphocytes that combat specific pathogens

6. Lymph Fluid
The lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes contain a milky liquid called lymph fluid
Lymph fluid is formed when some of the colorless liquid that surrounds all body tissues drains from the tissues into small lymph vessels, which lie between the cells
Capillary walls leak fluid and some blood proteins, which return to the blood via the lymphatic system

7. Lymph Fluid, Cont’d
This is the 1% of fluid that does not re-enter the capillaries
The fluid, lymph, is similar in composition to interstitial fluid
The lymph enters the system by diffusing into lymph capillaries
Lymph vessels have valves that prevent back flow and depend mainly on movement of skeletal muscles to squeeze fluid along

8. Lymph Fluid, Cont’d
Lymph nodes filter the lymph and attack viruses and bacteria. This defense is carried out by specialized white blood cells that inhabit the lymph nodes
Lymph capillaries penetrate small intestine villi and absorb fats, thus transposing them from the digestive system to the circulatory system

9. Lymph Fluid, Cont’d

10. Lymph Vessels
The small lymph vessels join together to form larger lymph vessels, which pass through a number of lymph nodes
In the lymph nodes, bacteria and harmful substances are broken down
The lymph fluid then travels through larger lymph ducts and drains into the bloodstream

11. Lymph nodes Lymph nodes vary in size, number, location
Lymph nodes are found throughout the body, but mainly in the neck, armpit and groin
They are made of lymphoid tissue
This tissue contains special cells that can help to fight infection and other diseases such as cancer
Lymph nodes vary in size, number, location

12. Lymph node Functions
As lymph fluid flows through the lymph nodes, the nodes collect and filter out anything the body does not need or that could harm the body
This includes bacteria, viruses, other infectious organisms, damaged cells or cancer cells

13. Lymph node Functions, Cont’d
Inside the lymph nodes, white blood cells (lymphocytes) attack and break down bacteria or other harmful cells
Waste products and the destroyed bacteria are then carried in the lymph fluid into the bloodstream and are got rid of with other body waste

14. Blood Capillaries (blood)
Interstitial Spaces (interstitial fluid)
Lymphatic Capillaries (lymph)
Lymphatic Vessels (lymph)

15. Lymphatic Trunks (lymph)
Lymphatic Ducts (lymph)
Subclavian Veins (blood)
Contraction of skeletal muscles and breathing help the flow of lymph

16. Probable Approximate Protein Content of Lymph in Humans
Lymph From
Protein Content (g/dL)
Choroid plexus
Ciliary body
Skeletal muscle
2.0
Skin
Lung
4.0
Gastrointestinal tract
4.1
Heart
4.4
Liver
602

17. THE END
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