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Questions and Answers
What is one of the main roles of the lymphatic system?
What is one of the main roles of the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system consists only of lymph nodes.
The lymphatic system consists only of lymph nodes.
False
What are lymph nodes responsible for?
What are lymph nodes responsible for?
Filtering lymph to remove microorganisms and disease.
Fluid that enters the lymph capillaries is called _____
Fluid that enters the lymph capillaries is called _____
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Match the following components of the lymphatic system with their descriptions:
Match the following components of the lymphatic system with their descriptions:
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Which of the following statements about lymph is true?
Which of the following statements about lymph is true?
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Lymphatic capillaries are impermeable to proteins.
Lymphatic capillaries are impermeable to proteins.
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Name two components of the lymphatic system.
Name two components of the lymphatic system.
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What is the primary purpose of the spleen?
What is the primary purpose of the spleen?
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Tonsils primarily function to protect against the invasion of foreign substances around the nasal cavities.
Tonsils primarily function to protect against the invasion of foreign substances around the nasal cavities.
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What condition can occur if there is an obstruction to lymphatic vessels?
What condition can occur if there is an obstruction to lymphatic vessels?
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Peyer’s patches are found in the ____ of the small intestine.
Peyer’s patches are found in the ____ of the small intestine.
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Match the lymphatic duct to its correct drainage area:
Match the lymphatic duct to its correct drainage area:
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What are adenoids primarily responsible for?
What are adenoids primarily responsible for?
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The spleen contains efferent lymphatic vessels, allowing it to filter lymph.
The spleen contains efferent lymphatic vessels, allowing it to filter lymph.
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What is the primary role of bone marrow stem cells in the immune system?
What is the primary role of bone marrow stem cells in the immune system?
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What prevents the backflow of lymph in lymphatic vessels?
What prevents the backflow of lymph in lymphatic vessels?
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The thoracic duct is responsible for carrying lymph from the upper left side of the body.
The thoracic duct is responsible for carrying lymph from the upper left side of the body.
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Name one potential cause of edema.
Name one potential cause of edema.
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The __________ is the largest mass of lymphatic tissue in the body.
The __________ is the largest mass of lymphatic tissue in the body.
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Match the following lymphatic structures with their functions:
Match the following lymphatic structures with their functions:
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Which of the following areas are heavily concentrated with lymph nodes?
Which of the following areas are heavily concentrated with lymph nodes?
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Lymphatic filariasis is caused by a virus carried by mosquitoes.
Lymphatic filariasis is caused by a virus carried by mosquitoes.
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What hormone is produced by the thymus that helps in T cell maturation?
What hormone is produced by the thymus that helps in T cell maturation?
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Lymphatic vessels carry fluid away from __________ spaces and return it to the venous system.
Lymphatic vessels carry fluid away from __________ spaces and return it to the venous system.
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Match the following types of pulp in the spleen with their description:
Match the following types of pulp in the spleen with their description:
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Which lymphatic structure helps in the maturation of T-lymphocytes?
Which lymphatic structure helps in the maturation of T-lymphocytes?
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Lymph nodes contain valves that assist in lymph movement.
Lymph nodes contain valves that assist in lymph movement.
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What triggers the contraction of smooth muscle in larger lymphatic vessels?
What triggers the contraction of smooth muscle in larger lymphatic vessels?
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The __________ duct carries lymph from the upper right side of the body to the venous system.
The __________ duct carries lymph from the upper right side of the body to the venous system.
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Study Notes
Lymphatic System Overview
- The lymphatic system is a vascular network of tubes and ducts, collecting, filtering, and returning lymph to blood circulation.
- It functions as a separate system despite consisting of organs working together for specific functions. A major role includes defense against diseases.
- Key functions include: transporting excess fluid from interstitial spaces back to the bloodstream, absorbing lipids from the digestive system and transporting them to venous circulation.
- The system defends against invading microorganisms/diseases in lymph nodes. Lymph nodes and other lymphatic organs filter lymph to remove microorganisms.
Lymphatic System Components
- The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic capillaries, vessels, trunks, ducts, and organs/tissues:
- Lymphatic capillaries: begin as blind-ended tubes in tissue spaces; found throughout the body except in the epidermis, CNS, cornea of the eye, and bones; highly permeable.
- Lymphatic vessels: form from merging lymphatic capillaries, found alongside arteries and veins, carry lymph away from tissue spaces back to venous system. These vessels have one-way valves to prevent backflow.
- Lymphatic trunks: formed from merging lymphatic vessels; drain lymph; include jugular, subclavian, bronchomediastinal, lumbar, and intestinal trunks.
- Lymphatic ducts: formed from merging lymphatic trunks; include the right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct, which drain lymph into the venous system. The right lymphatic duct drains the upper right side of the body—head, neck, right upper extremity, and right side of the thorax—while the thoracic duct drains lymph from the rest of the body.
- Lymphatic organs and tissues: include the thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and bone marrow
Lymph
- Lymph is a clear, colorless fluid similar to blood plasma.
- Transported plasma protein that seeps out of capillary beds back to the blood stream.
- Carries larger particles (bacteria, cell debris) from damaged tissue for filtering by lymph nodes.
- Contains lymphocytes for defense mechanisms.
- In small intestine lacteals fats absorbed into lymphatic—give lymph milky appearance.
- Lymph returning to bloodstream prevents edema & helps maintain normal blood volume, plasma protein concentration, and blood pressure.
Lymph Node Functions
- Oval structures located along lymphatic vessels.
- Contain lymphocytes (immune cells) and macrophages.
- About 600 lymph nodes are available throughout the body, concentrated near mammary glands, axilla (armpit), and groin.
- Lymph enters lymph nodes through afferent lymphatic vessels and exits through efferent lymphatic vessels.
- Functions include: filtering foreign substances, phagocytosis, and proliferation of lymphocytes (immune cells).
Lymph Node Clinical Applications
- Incomplete phagocytosis or bacterial invasion can lead to lymph node inflammation/enlargement (lymphadenopathy).
- Lymph node location and lymph flow direction are crucial for diagnosing and predicting cancer spread (metastasis).
- Axillary lymph nodes are often removed during breast surgery (mastectomy) to prevent cancer spread.
- Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system, spreading from one lymph node to another.
Spleen
- Largest lymphatic organ in the body, located in the left upper quadrant between the stomach and diaphragm.
- Consists of white pulp (lymphocytes—T and B cells) and red pulp (blood & macrophages).
- Functions:
- Phagocytosis (removing worn-out RBCs, WBCs, and platelets).
- Lymphocyte/s activities to react to pathogens in the blood.
- Blood storage (up to 350 mL).
- Immune response (activated by antigens).
- Erythropoiesis (RBC production during pregnancy).
- Injury to the spleen often requires splenectomy (removal) to prevent excessive bleeding.
Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)
- Lymphatic tissue NOT in a capsule, located in mucous membranes, contains B and T cells (migrated from bone marrow and thymus).
- Detecting invaders early and filtering lymph.
- Main groups include tonsils and lymphoid follicles, Peyer’s patches (small intestine).
- Tonsils (pharyngeal, palatine, lingual): protect the body from foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses, in nasal and oral cavities.
Thymus
- Located between sternum and heart.
- Contains T cells, epithelial cells, and macrophages.
- Site of T cell maturation before they enter the bloodstream.
- Hormone thymosin promotes thymus and other lymphoid tissue maturation.
- Shrinks in adolescence, with T-lymphocytes response to antigens declining. Replaced with adipose tissue after puberty.
Bone Marrow
- Soft tissue within bones.
- Responsible for producing blood cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets).
- Bone marrow stem cells are important for immunity by generating lymphocytes.
- Certain white blood cells mature in the bone marrow
Lymph Flow Maintenance
- Skeletal muscle contractions compress lymphatic vessels to move lymph.
- Breathing movements (respiratory pump) cause pressure differences within the body, aiding lymph flow.
- Smooth muscle contractions in lymphatic vessels aid lymph flow.
- Lymphatic vessel valves prevent lymph backflow.
Edema
- Edema is excess interstitial fluid in tissue spaces.
- Causes: lymphatic system obstruction, lack of skeletal muscle contractions, increased capillary blood pressure.
- Common complication of lymphatic vessel obstruction.
Lymphatic Filariasis
- Caused by filarial worms carried by mosquitoes.
- Adult worms reside in lymphatic nodes, blocking lymph flow.
- Known as elephantiasis, causing severe swelling.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the lymphatic system with this quiz. Topics include lymph nodes, lymphatic capillaries, spleen functions, and the role of adenoids. Perfect for students studying human biology or anatomy.
