Lymphatic System Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is edema?

An abnormal accumulation of fluid underneath the skin (correct)

A normal amount of fluid in the body

Fluid build-up in the lungs

A condition affecting only internal organs

What is lymphography?

A radiograph of a body part injected with radiopaque contrast that targets the structures of the lymphatic system.

What is the main function of the lymphatic system?

To return excess tissue fluid to the blood vascular system via the lymphatic vessels.

What are the purposes of the immune system?

Protect the body from foreign substances and confer immunity to disease. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main components of the immune system?

Lymphocytes, lymphoid tissue, and lymphoid organs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of lymphatic vessels?

Collect excess tissue fluid and blood proteins, and return them to the bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

What pathway does lymphatic fluid flow?

Only towards the heart - a one-way path. Signup and view all the answers

When is tissue fluid termed lymph?

Once it is within the lymphatic vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What lymphatic vessels are the first to receive lymph?

The lymphatic capillaries. Signup and view all the answers

What is the order of the lymphatic vessels collecting system?

Lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic collecting vessels, lymphatic trunks, lymphatic ducts. Signup and view all the answers

Where are lymphatic capillaries found?

Near the blood capillaries. Signup and view all the answers

What causes fluid to enter the lymph capillaries?

An increased volume of tissue fluid causes mini-valve flaps to open and allows fluid to enter. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the permeability of lymphatic capillaries.

High permeability allows the entrance of tissue fluid, protein molecules, bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are lacteals and what is their function?

Specialized lymphatic capillaries located in the villi of the small intestine that receive digested fats. Signup and view all the answers

What is fatty lymph called?

Chyle. Signup and view all the answers

Lymph flow is aided by heartbeat.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is lymph propelled by?

Skeletal muscles bulging, nearby arteries pulsing, and tunica media of the lymph vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What are characteristics of lymph collecting vessels?

They accompany blood vessels, are composed of the same three tunics as blood vessels, and contain more valves than veins do. Signup and view all the answers

What are characteristics of lymph nodes?

They cleanse the lymph of pathogens and the human body contains around 500 lymph nodes. Signup and view all the answers

Where are superficial lymph nodes located?

Cervical, axillary, and inguinal regions. Signup and view all the answers

Where are deep lymph nodes located?

Tracheobronchial, aortic, and iliac lymph nodes. Signup and view all the answers

List the 5 major lymph trunks and where they receive lymph from.

Lumbar trunks (from lower limbs and pelvic organs), intestinal trunk (from digestive organs), bronchomediastinal trunks (from thoracic viscera), subclavian trunks (from upper limbs and thoracic wall), jugular trunks (from head and neck). Signup and view all the answers

List three major lymph ducts.

Cisterna chyli, thoracic duct, right lymphatic duct. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the location of the cisterna chyli duct.

Located at the union of lumbar and intestinal trunks. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the location and function of the thoracic duct.

It ascends along the vertebral bodies and empties into the venous circulation at the junction of left internal jugular and left subclavian veins, draining three quarters of the body. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the function of the right lymphatic duct.

Empties into the right internal jugular and subclavian veins. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key cells of the immune system?

Lymphocytes. Signup and view all the answers

List the lymphoid organs.

Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, aggregated lymphoid nodules, appendix. Signup and view all the answers

What is an antigen?

Antigens are any molecules inducing a response from a lymphocyte. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main classes of lymphocytes?

B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Edema

Abnormal fluid accumulation occurs underneath the skin or within body cavities.

Lymphography

A radiograph procedure that uses radiopaque contrast to visualize the lymphatic system structures.

Main Function of the Lymphatic System

Returns excess tissue fluid to the blood vascular system via lymphatic vessels.

Purpose of the Immune System

Protects the body from foreign substances and provides immunity to diseases.

Main Components of the Immune System

Comprises lymphocytes, lymphoid tissue, and lymphoid organs.

Function of Lymphatic Vessels

Collects excess tissue fluid and blood proteins, restoring them to the bloodstream.

Lymphatic Fluid Flow

Lymphatic fluid flows only towards the heart, following a one-way path.

Lymph Definition

Tissue fluid is termed lymph once it enters the lymphatic vessels.

Initial Lymphatic Vessels

Lymphatic capillaries are the first vessels to receive lymph.

Lymphatic Collection Order

Lymphatic capillaries → Lymphatic collecting vessels → Lymphatic trunks → Lymphatic ducts (empty into veins of the neck); lymph nodes are scattered along the collection vessels.

Location and Entry Mechanism of Lymphatic Capillaries

Found near blood capillaries; mini-valve flaps open due to increased tissue fluid volume, allowing fluid entry.

Permeability of Lymphatic Capillaries

Highly permeable to tissue fluid, protein molecules, bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

Lacteals Function

Specialized lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine's villi that absorb digested fats.

Fatty Lymph

Referred to as chyle.

Lymph Flow Mechanism

Lymph is propelled by skeletal muscle contractions, nearby artery pulsations, and the tunica media of lymph vessels, rather than the heartbeat.

Characteristics of Lymph Collecting Vessels

Accompany blood vessels, consist of three tunics like blood vessels, and contain more valves than veins.

Characteristics of Lymph Nodes

Act to cleanse lymph of pathogens; approximately 500 lymph nodes are present in the human body.

Locations of Superficial Lymph Nodes

Found in cervical, axillary, and inguinal regions.

Locations of Deep Lymph Nodes

Present in tracheobronchial, aortic, and iliac areas.

Major Lymph Trunks and Their Sources

Lumbar trunks (lower limbs and pelvic organs), intestinal trunk (digestive organs), bronchomediastinal trunks (thoracic viscera), subclavian trunks (upper limbs and thoracic wall), jugular trunks (head and neck).

Major Lymph Ducts

Includes Cisterna chyli, thoracic duct, and right lymphatic duct.

Location of Cisterna Chyli Duct

Located at the convergence of lumbar and intestinal trunks.

Thoracic Duct Description

Ascends along vertebral bodies; drains three-quarters of the body and empties into left venous circulation at the junction of internal jugular and left subclavian veins.

Right Lymphatic Duct Function

Empties lymph into the right internal jugular and subclavian veins.

Key Immune System Cells

Lymphocytes are essential cells in the immune system.

Lymphoid Organs

Include lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, aggregated lymphoid nodules, and appendix.

Definition of Antigen

Molecules that induce a response from lymphocytes.

Main Classes of Lymphocytes

B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes serve as the two primary classes within the immune system.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the lymphatic system with these flashcards. Each card provides a key term and its definition, helping you understand concepts like edema, lymphography, and the overall function of the lymphatic system.