31 Questions
What percentage of blood proteins leak out of capillaries daily?
25-50%
Where do proteins that leak out of capillaries go?
Lymphatic vessels
What happens if lymphatic vessels are blocked?
Protein levels in the blood decrease
What is the primary function of the lymphatic system in this context?
Returning proteins to the blood
What is the result of decreased blood protein levels?
Fluid imbalances occur in the body
What is the fate of proteins that leak out of capillaries?
They are returned to the blood
What is the primary function of defense in the body?
To remove pathogens and bacteria from the blood
What is the role of red blood cells in the body?
To carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues
What is the term for the stage in which red blood cells are formed?
Jeninie stage
What is the relation between the liver and the removal of pathogens from the blood?
The liver filters pathogens and bacteria from the blood
What is the result of the defense system not functioning properly?
The body becomes more susceptible to infections
What is the primary function of the lymphatic system?
To screen body fluids and remove pathogens and damaged cells
What is a characteristic of lymph?
It has fewer proteins than blood plasma
How much lymph is handled by the lymphatic system per day?
2500-2800 ml/day
Where are lymph and lymph vessels absent?
In the nervous system and eye
What is the color of lymph?
Colorless (clear)
What is the function of the spleen regarding erythrocytes?
To filter out old and damaged erythrocytes
What happens to the iron from destroyed erythrocytes?
It is salvaged and reused
What is the spleen often referred to as?
The erythrocyte graveyard
What is the fate of old and damaged erythrocytes?
They are removed from circulation and destroyed
What is the significance of the spleen in iron metabolism?
It recycles iron from destroyed erythrocytes
Where does the lymph get filtered?
Lymph nodes
What is the function of lymphatic capillaries?
To merge with other capillaries to form larger lymphatic vessels
What is the name of the two major lymphatic ducts?
Right lymphatic and thoracic ducts
Where do the lymphatic trunks merge to form?
Lymphatic ducts
What is the function of lymph nodes in relation to microorganisms and foreign matter?
To trap and remove microorganisms and foreign matter
What is the largest of the lymphatic organs?
Spleen
What is the function of the spleen in relation to red blood cells?
To remove old and damaged red blood cells
What is the location of the spleen?
Between the stomach and diaphragm
What is the shape of the spleen?
Ovoid
What is the function of the lymphatic system in relation to the immune system?
To alert the immune system to pathogens
Study Notes
Lymphatic System
- Returns large molecules to the blood, ~25-50% of blood
- Proteins leak out of capillaries daily, but cannot get back into capillaries; instead, lymphatic capillaries pick them up and return them to the blood
- If lymphatics are blocked, blood protein decreases, leading to fluid imbalances in the body
General Functions of Lymphatic System
- Major role of WBCs is in body defense
- Lymphatic system screens body fluids, removes pathogens, and damaged cells
Lymph
- Clear, watery fluid resembling blood plasma but with fewer proteins
- Composition varies depending on the organs it drains
- Lymphatic system handles 125 ml/hr (2500-2800 ml of lymph/day), with ~1/2 of this coming from the liver and small intestine alone
Lymphatic Vessels (Lymphatics)
- Originate in tissues as tiny, blind-ended sacs
- Lie side by side with blood capillaries
- Single layer of endothelial cells like blood capillaries, but more permeable to solvents, large solutes, and whole cells
Lymphatic Ducts
- Two major lymphatic ducts: Right Lymphatic Duct and Thoracic Duct
- Right Lymphatic Duct drains upper right quadrant of the body into the right subclavian vein at the junction with the jugular vein
- Thoracic Duct drains the rest of the body (3/4ths), including the left arm, left side of the head, neck, and thorax, and begins just below the diaphragm
Lymph Nodes
- Also called lymph glands
- Oval, varying in size from pinhead to lima bean
- Most numerous of the lymphatic organs
- Functions:
- Cleanse lymph by removing microorganisms and foreign matter
- Alert the immune system to pathogens
- Important in hemopoiesis, producing lymphocytes and monocytes
Major Accessory Lymphatic Organs
- Spleen: largest, located between the stomach and diaphragm, in the left hypochondriac region
- Thymus
- Tonsils
- Peyer's patches
- Appendix
Spleen
- Performs several functions:
- Defense: helps screen blood and removes pathogens and bacteria
- Erythrocyte and platelet destruction: "erythrocyte graveyard" where iron is salvaged from RBCs
This quiz covers the role of the lymphatic system in returning proteins to the blood, and the consequences of lymphatic blockage on blood protein levels and fluid balance in the body.
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