Lymphatic System - Basic for Physiotherapy 1

* Lymphatic System Prof. Dr. Marwa G.A. Hegazy  *Lymphatic System * Lymphatic system is a network of vessels through which lymph drains from the tissues into the blood. *LYMPH - an extracellular fluid (ECF) similar to plasma; ECF is found in several places in the...

* Lymphatic System Prof. Dr. Marwa G.A. Hegazy  *Lymphatic System * Lymphatic system is a network of vessels through which lymph drains from the tissues into the blood. *LYMPH - an extracellular fluid (ECF) similar to plasma; ECF is found in several places in the body: body tissues (ECF = interstitial fluid), blood (ECF = plasma), and lymphatic vessels (ECF = lymph) * our lymphatic system is a group of organs, vessels and tissues that protect you from infection and keep a healthy balance of fluids throughout your body.  *Lymphatic System: Pathways *Lymphatic capillaries *Extend into interstitial spaces *Permeable, thin walls pick up fluid, which become lymph *Delivers lymph to lymphatic vessels through afferent lymphatic vessels *Lymphatic vessels *Deliver lymph to lymph nodes *Cells in nodes can remove pathogens from lymph and start an immune response *Leaves nodes through them too. *Lymphatic System: Pathways (cont.) *Lymphatic trunks *Receive lymph from efferent lymphatic vessels *Deliver it to lymphatic ducts *Lymphatic collecting ducts *Thoracic duct *Left side of head and neck, left arm, left side of thorax, entire abdominopelvic area, and both legs *Right lymphatic duct *Right side of head and neck, right arm, and right side of chest  *LYMPH VESSELS (LYMPHATICS) some passes The When excess to blood tissue Lymph circulation surroundings reach the fluid vessels as tissue capillaries fluid (lymph) They are formed of : 1. Lymphatic capillaries. 2. Small and medium sized lymphatic vessels 3. Lymphatic duct Basic for physiotherapy 1 (Lecture2) Primary Secondary Sites where B- & T- lymphocytes formed Sites where immune response occurs and and mature lymphocytes perform their function Bone marrow Lymph node Thymus Spleen Tonsils Payer's patches Appendix (Immunological function).  * Functions of the Lymphatic System *Lymphatic vessels drain excess interstitial fluid from tissue spaces (distributed all over the body except nervous system has its own circulation CSF ). *Lymphatic vessels transport the lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins (A,D, E, K) absorbed by the GI tract to the blood. *Lymphatic tissue initiates highly specific responses directed against particular microbes or abnormal cells. Lymphocytes can recognize foreign cells, microbes, toxins and cancer cells.  * Tissue Fluid and Lymph *Lymph moves in response to: ✓contraction of surrounding skeletal muscles (veins return blood to the heart using a similar mechanism); like veins, lymph vessels have valves to keep the fluid moving in one direction ✓contraction of smooth muscle in wall of the lymphatic vessel ✓pressure changes in the thoracic cavity during respiration *Interstitial fluid *Fluid in spaces between cells that has leaked from blood capillaries and has not been picked up by body cells *High in nutrients, oxygen, and small proteins *Becomes lymph * Pushed through lymphatic vessels by squeezing action of neighboring skeletal muscles and breathing movement