Lymphatic System Organs & Functions

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Questions and Answers

What are the two parts of the Lymphatic System?

Lymphatic vessels and Lymphoid tissues and organs

What are the functions of the Lymphatic System?

Transport fluids back to blood, provide defense against infectious diseases and cancer, harbor leukocytes, absorb dietary lipids from the digestive tract.

List the organs involved in the Lymphatic System.

Lymph, lymph nodes & vessels, spleen, thymus, tonsils, SALT and MALT.

What is lymph?

Excess tissue fluid Signup and view all the answers

How is lymph made?

It is the interstitial fluid that is forced out at the beginning of the capillary beds and is not put back into the bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

What parts of lymph are returned in the blood?

Dissolved proteins and water Signup and view all the answers

What are harmful materials that enter lymphatic vessels?

Proteins, cell debris, cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of lymphatic collecting vessels?

To transport lymph from lymph capillaries to nodes where it is filtered until it returns to the circulatory veins. Signup and view all the answers

What does the fluid return through to get to the circulatory veins near the heart?

The right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct Signup and view all the answers

What is the job of lymph nodes?

They help protect the body by removing foreign materials such as bacteria and tumor cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which leukocytes are present in lymph nodes?

Lymphocytes and macrophages Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the spleen?

Filters blood of bacteria and viruses, destroys worn out RBCs, forms blood in fetus, stores some blood. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the thymus?

Functions at peak level during childhood only; produces thymosin to program lymphocytes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the tonsils?

Trap and remove debris and foreign substances at the pharynx. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Peyer's Patches?

Capture and destroy bacteria in the intestines. Signup and view all the answers

What is MALT?

Mucosa-Associated Lymphatic Tissue that protects the respiratory and digestive tract. Signup and view all the answers

What does MALT include?

Peyer's Patches, tonsils, and other small groups of lymphatic tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lymphatic System Overview

Consists of lymphatic vessels and lymphoid tissues and organs.
Functions to transport fluids back to blood and provides defense against diseases.

Functions of the Lymphatic System

Returns excess interstitial fluid to the cardiovascular system.
Provides defense against infectious diseases and cancer.
Harbors leukocytes for immune responses.
Absorbs dietary lipids from the digestive tract.

Key Organs in the Lymphatic System

Lymph
Lymph nodes and vessels
Spleen
Thymus
Tonsils
SALT (Skin-Associated Lymphoid Tissue) and MALT (Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue)

Lymph Characteristics

Composed of excess tissue fluid.
Formed from interstitial fluid forced out at capillary beds and not reabsorbed.

Lymph Composition and Vessels

Returned to blood as dissolved proteins and water.
Harmful materials such as proteins, cell debris, cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses can enter lymphatic vessels.

Transport and Filtration in the Lymphatic System

Lymphatic collecting vessels transport lymph to lymph nodes where it is filtered.
Returns fluid through the right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct into the circulatory veins near the heart.

Role of Lymph Nodes

Protect the body by removing foreign materials like bacteria and tumor cells.
Contain leukocytes: lymphocytes for specific invader destruction and macrophages for non-specific invader destruction.

Functional Overview of Key Organs

Spleen: Filters blood, removes aged RBCs, forms blood in fetuses, and stores blood.
Thymus: Active primarily during childhood, produces thymosin to program lymphocytes.
Tonsils: Trap and remove debris and foreign substances at the pharynx.
Peyer's Patches: Capture and destroy bacteria in the intestines.
MALT: Protects respiratory and digestive tracts, includes Peyer's patches and tonsils.

Additional Lymphatic Components

SALT and MALT: Protects mucous membranes, with specific functions in immunity and bacterial control.
Appendix: Similar function to Peyer's patches, supports beneficial bacteria in the colon.

Immune Surveillance

Lymphatic tissues monitor for pathogens in skin and mucosal membranes, facilitating immune responses.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the organs and functions of the lymphatic system. It covers key components such as lymphatic vessels, lymphoid tissues, and their roles in fluid transport and immune defense. Test your knowledge with these flashcards!