1. The Lymphatic System

2. Lymphatic System
-Consists of: Lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue
-System works in conjunction with the circulatory system to remove waste and excess fluids from the tissues
-Lymph-a thin watery fluid composed of intercellular and interstitial fluid which forms when plasma diffuses into the tissue spaces.
-Components are: water, digested nutrients, salts, hormones, oxygen carbon dioxide, lymphocytes, and metabolic wastes like urea.
-Lymphatic Vessels-small open-ended vessels that act as drain pipes are located throughout the body where blood vessels are found. AKA Lymphatic capillaries
-Capillaries connect to larger vessels that then take fluid to lymph nodes.
-Capillaries also contain valves that only allow fluid to travel in one direction.
-Skeletal muscle contraction aides in movement of fluid through the vessels.

3. Lymphatic Capillaries

4. Lymphatic System
-Lacteals are specialized lymphatic capillaries found in the small intestine.
-These pick up digested lipids and transport them back to the thoracic duct.
-Lymph mixed with lipids is called Chyle

5. Lymphatic System
Lymph Nodes- AKA Lymph glands, are small round or oval shaped masses that are found all over the body.
Usually located in clusters, these masses vary in size from that of a pin-head to the size of an almond.
Vessels bring lymph to the nodes where it is filtered to remove impurities such as; carbon, cancer cells, pathogens and dead blood cells.
Node tissue also produces lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that fights infection) and specific antibodies.
This purified lymph with antibodies and lymphocytes leaves the node through a single vessel; as the fluid drains from one vessel it continues to flow into larger and larger vessels eventually draining into one of two lymphatic ducts.

6. Lymphatic System

7. Lymphatic System Lymphatic Ducts
-Right Lymphatic Duct-Short tube that receives all the purified lymph from the right side of the head and neck, the right chest and the right arm. It dumps into the right subclavian vein, returning the lymph to the blood.
-The Thoracic Duct-largest duct in the body collects the lymph from everywhere else. The duct drains into the left subclavian vein to return fluid to the body.
-At its beginning is a large pouch like structure where purified lymph is stored called the cisterna chyli.
-The Cisterna Chyli also receives chyle from the intestinal lacteals

8. Lymphatic System
Right Lymphatic Duct
Thoracic Duct

9. Lymphatic System
Lymph Tissue is also found in other parts of the body as well those include:
The Tonsils: Filter interstitial fluid and are found in three pairs: Palatine Tonsils; located on either side of the soft palate, Pharyngeal Tonsils; located in the nasopharynx aka adenoids, Lingual tonsils; located at the back of the tongue
-The Spleen; Organ located beneath the left side of the diaphragm and in the back of the upper part of the stomach.
-The Thymus-Located in the center of the upper chest of children, it atrophies after puberty and is replaced by fat and connective tissue.

10. Lymphatic System Tonsils Main function is to trap pathogens.
Whether its through the nose or mouth

11. Lymphatic System Spleen -Produces leukocytes and antibodies
-Destroys old erythrocytes (old red blood cells)
-Stores erythrocytes for release in cases of excessive bleeding
-Destroys thrombocytes (platelets)
-Filters metabolites and waste from body tissue

12. Lymphatic System The Thymus
Early in life it produces antibodies and lymphocytes
It is replaced by the lymph nodes when the system matures
Helps to fight infection

13. Problems in the Lymphatic System
Adenitis
Inflammation or infection of the lymph nodes
Occurs when large quantities of dangerous substances enter the nodes such as cancer cells or pathogens and infect the tissue
Symptoms include: fever, and swollen painful nodes
If untreated can lead to abscess of the node
Treatment includes antibiotics and warm compress
Abscess may require incise or draining of the node

14. Problems in the Lymphatic System
Hodgkin’s Disease
Chronic Malignant Disease of the lymph nodes
Most common form of lymphoma (tumor of the lymph tissue)
Symptoms include: pain and swelling of nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, and pruritus (itching)
Treatment is chemotherapy and radiation therapy

15. Problems of the Lymphatic System
Lymphangitis
Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels
Results from infection within the extremity
Symptoms include: red streak running up the arm from source of infection, fever, chills, tenderness, pain
Treatment includes antibiotics, rest elevation of affected part, warm moist compress

16. Problems of the Lymphatic System
Splenomegaly
Enlargement of the spleen
Results from: abnormal accumulation of RBC, mononucleosis, and cirrhosis of the liver
Symptoms include: swelling and abdominal pain, anemia due to destruction of RBCs, leukopenia or low WBC count and Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count
If spleen ruptures then hemorrhage and shock can lead to death
If underlying cause cannot be flushed out then splenectomy is performed. (Removal of Spleen)

17. Problems of the Lymphatic System
Tonsillitis
Inflammation or infection of the tonsils
Usually involves the pharyngeal and palatine tonsils
Symptoms include: throat pain, dysphagia, fever, white or yellowish spots on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes near the mandible
Treatment: Antibiotics, warm throat irrigations, rest, and analgesics for pain
Chronic infections or enlargement that causes obstruction are indications for tonsillectomy