Lymphatic System PDF

Lymphatic System Consists of three parts 1. A network of lymphatic vessels (lymphatics) 2. Lymph 3. Lymph nodes Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphatic System: Functions Returns interstit...

Lymphatic System Consists of three parts 1. A network of lymphatic vessels (lymphatics) 2. Lymph 3. Lymph nodes Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphatic System: Functions Returns interstitial fluid and leaked plasma proteins back to the blood Once interstitial fluid enters lymphatics, it is called lymph Together with lymphoid organs and tissues, provide the structural basis of the immune system Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Venous system Arterial system Heart Lymphatic system: Lymph duct Lymph trunk Lymph node Lymphatic collecting vessels, with valves Tissue fluid Blood Lymphatic capillaries Tissue cell Blood Lymphatic capillary capillaries capillaries (a) Structural relationship between a capillary bed of the blood vascular system and lymphatic capillaries. Filaments anchored to connective tissue Endothelial cell Flaplike minivalve Fibroblast in loose connective tissue (b) Lymphatic capillaries are blind-ended tubes in which adjacent endothelial cells overlap each other, forming flaplike minivalves. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.1  Lymphatic Vessels One-way system, lymph flows toward the heart Lymph vessels (lymphatics) include: Lymphatic capillaries Lymphatic collecting vessels Lymphatic trunks and ducts Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphatic Capillaries Similar to blood capillaries, except Very permeable (take up cell debris, pathogens, and cancer cells) Endothelial cells overlap to form one-way minivalves, and are anchored by collagen filaments, preventing collapse of capillaries Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphatic Capillaries Absent from bones, teeth, bone marrow and the CNS Lacteals: specialized lymph capillaries present in intestinal mucosa Absorb digested fat and deliver fatty lymph (chyle) to the blood Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Filaments anchored to connective tissue Endothelial cell Flaplike minivalve Fibroblast in loose connective tissue (b) Lymphatic capillaries are blind-ended tubes in which adjacent endothelial cells overlap each other, forming flaplike minivalves. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.1b  Lymphatic Collecting Vessels Similar to veins, except Have thinner walls, with more internal valves Anastomose more frequently Collecting vessels in the skin travel with superficial veins Deep vessels travel with arteries Nutrients are supplied from branching vasa vasorum Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphatic Trunks Formed by the union of the largest collecting ducts Paired lumbar Paired bronchomediastinal Paired subclavian Paired jugular trunks A single intestinal trunk Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphatic Ducts Lymph is delivered into one of two large ducts Right lymphatic duct drains the right upper arm and the right side of the head and thorax Thoracic duct arises from the cisterna chyli and drains the rest of the body Each empties lymph into venous circulation at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins on its own side of the body Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Regional Internal jugular vein lymph nodes: Cervical nodes Entrance of right lymphatic duct into vein Entrance of thoracic duct into vein Axillary nodes Thoracic duct Cisterna chyli Aorta Inguinal nodes Lymphatic collecting vessels Drained by the right lymphatic duct Drained by the thoracic duct (a) General distribution of lymphatic collecting vessels and regional lymph nodes. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.2a  Right jugular trunk Internal jugular veins Right lymphatic duct Esophagus Right subclavian trunk Trachea Right subclavian vein Left subclavian trunk Right broncho- Left jugular trunk mediastinal trunk Left subclavian vein Brachiocephalic veins Entrance of thoracic Superior vena cava duct into vein Left bronchomediastinal Azygos vein trunk Ribs Thoracic duct Hemiazygos vein Cisterna chyli Right lumbar trunk Left lumbar trunk Inferior vena cava Intestinal trunk (b) Major lymphatic trunks and ducts in relation to veins and surrounding structures. Anterior view of thoracic and abdominal wall. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.2b  Lymph Transport Lymph is propelled by Pulsations of nearby arteries Contractions of smooth muscle in the walls of the lymphatics Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphoid Cells Lymphocytes the main warriors of the immune system Two main varieties T cells (T lymphocytes) B cells (B lymphocytes) Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphocytes T cells and B cells protect against antigens Anything the body perceives as foreign Bacteria and their toxins; viruses Mismatched RBCs or cancer cells Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphocytes T cells Manage the immune response Attack and destroy foreign cells B cells Produce plasma cells, which secrete antibodies Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Other Lymphoid Cells Macrophages phagocytize foreign substances and help activate T cells Dendritic cells capture antigens and deliver them to lymph nodes Reticular cells produce stroma that supports other cells in lymphoid organs Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Macrophage Reticular cells on reticular fibers Lymphocytes Medullary sinus Reticular fiber Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.3  Lymphoid Tissue Houses and provides a proliferation site for lymphocytes Furnishes a surveillance vantage point Two main types Diffuse lymphatic tissue Lymphatic follicles Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphoid Tissue Diffuse lymphatic tissue comprises scattered reticular tissue elements in every body organ Larger collections in the lamina propria of mucous membranes and lymphoid organs Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphoid Tissue Lymphatic follicles (nodules) are solid, spherical bodies of tightly packed reticular elements and cells Germinal center composed of dendritic and B cells May form part of larger lymphoid organs Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymph Nodes Principal lymphoid organs of the body Embedded in connective tissue, in clusters along lymphatic vessels Near the body surface in inguinal, axillary, and cervical regions of the body Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Regional Internal jugular vein lymph nodes: Cervical nodes Entrance of right lymphatic duct into vein Entrance of thoracic duct into vein Axillary nodes Thoracic duct Cisterna chyli Aorta Inguinal nodes Lymphatic collecting vessels Drained by the right lymphatic duct Drained by the thoracic duct (a) General distribution of lymphatic collecting vessels and regional lymph nodes. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.2a  Lymph Nodes Functions 1. Filter lymph—macrophages destroy microorganisms and debris 2. Immune system—lymphocytes are activated and mount an attack against antigens Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Structure of a Lymph Node Bean shaped External fibrous capsule Trabeculae extend inward and divide the node into compartments Two histologically distinct regions Cortex Medulla Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Structure of a Lymph Node Cortex contains follicles with germinal centers, heavy with dividing B cells Dendritic cells nearly encapsulate the follicles Deep cortex houses T cells in transit T cells circulate continuously among the blood, lymph nodes, and lymphatic stream Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Cortex Lymphoid follicle Afferent lymphatic Germinal center vessels Subcapsular sinus Efferent lymphatic vessels Hilum Medulla: Medullary cord Medullary sinus Trabeculae Capsule (a) Longitudinal view of the internal structure of a lymph node and associated lymphatics Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.4a  Structure of a Lymph Node Medullary cords extend inward from the cortex and contain B cells, T cells, and plasma cells Lymph sinuses contain macrophages Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Follicles Trabecula Subcapsular sinus Capsule Medullary cords Medullary sinuses (b) Photomicrograph of part of a lymph node (72x) Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.4b  Circulation in the Lymph Nodes Lymph Enters via afferent lymphatic vessels Travels through large subcapsular sinus and smaller sinuses Exits the node at the hilus via efferent vessels Fewer efferent vessels, causing flow of lymph to stagnate, allowing lymphocytes and macrophages time to carry out functions Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Afferent Cortex lymphatic Lymphoid follicle vessels Germinal center Subcapsular sinus Efferent lymphatic Follicles vessels Trabecula Subcapsular sinus Hilum Capsule Medulla: Medullary cord Medullary sinus Medullary cords Trabeculae Medullary sinuses Capsule (b) Photomicrograph of part of a (a) Longitudinal view of the internal structure lymph node (72x) of a lymph node and associated lymphatics Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.4  Spleen Largest lymphoid organ Served by splenic artery and vein, which enter and exit at the hilus Functions Site of lymphocyte proliferation and immune surveillance and response Cleanses the blood of aged cells and platelets and debris Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Diaphragm Spleen Adrenal gland Left kidney Splenic artery Pancreas (c) Photograph of the spleen in its normal position in the abdominal cavity, anterior view. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.6c  Spleen Stores breakdown products of RBCs (e.g., iron) for later reuse Stores blood platelets Site of fetal erythrocyte production (normally ceases after birth) Has a fibrous capsule and trabeculae Contains lymphocytes, macrophages, and huge numbers of erythrocytes Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Structure of the Spleen Two distinct areas White pulp around central arteries Mostly lymphocytes on reticular fibers and involved in immune functions Red pulp in venous sinuses and splenic cords Rich in macrophages for disposal of worn- out RBCs and bloodborne pathogens Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Capsule Trabecula Splenic cords Venous sinuses Arterioles and Splenic capillaries artery Splenic Red pulp vein Hilum White pulp Central artery (a) Diagram of the spleen, anterior view Splenic artery Splenic vein (b) Diagram of spleen histology Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.6a,b  Thymus Size with age In infants, it is found in the inferior neck and extends into the mediastinum, where it partially overlies the heart Increases in size and is most active during childhood Stops growing during adolescence and then gradually atrophies Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Thymus Thymic lobes contain an outer cortex and inner medulla Cortex contains densely packed lymphocytes and scattered macrophages Medulla contains fewer lymphocytes and thymic (Hassall’s) corpuscles involved in regulatory T cell development Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Thymic (Hassall’s) corpuscle Medulla Cortex Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.7  Thymus Differs from other lymphoid organs in important ways It functions strictly in T lymphocyte maturation It does not directly fight antigens The stroma of the thymus consists of star- shaped epithelial cells (not reticular fibers) These thymocytes provide the environment in which T lymphocytes become immunocompetent Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Tonsils Simplest lymphoid organs Form a ring of lymphatic tissue around the pharynx Palatine tonsils—at posterior end of the oral cavity Lingual tonsils—grouped at the base of the tongue Pharyngeal tonsil—in posterior wall of the nasopharynx Tubal tonsils—surrounding the openings of the auditory tubes into the pharynx Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Tonsils Contain follicles with germinal centers Are not fully encapsulated Epithelial tissue overlying tonsil masses invaginates, forming tonsillar crypts Crypts trap and destroy bacteria and particulate matter Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Pharyngeal tonsil Palatine tonsil Lingual tonsil Tonsil Tonsillar crypt Germinal centers in lymphoid follicles Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.8  Aggregates of Lymphoid Follicles Peyer’s patches Clusters of lymphoid follicles In the wall of the distal portion of the small intestine Similar structures are also found in the appendix Peyer’s patches and the appendix Destroy bacteria, preventing them from breaching the intestinal wall Generate “memory” lymphocytes Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Lymphoid nodules (follicles) of Peyer’s patch Smooth muscle in the intestinal wall Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 20.9  MALT Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue, including Peyer’s patches, tonsils, and the appendix (digestive tract) Lymphoid nodules in the walls of the bronchi (respiratory tract) Protects the digestive and respiratory systems from foreign matter Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Developmental Aspects Beginnings of the lymphatic vessels and main clusters of lymph nodes are apparent by the 5th week of embryonic development These arise from the budding of lymph sacs from developing veins Lymphatic organs (except the thymus) arise from mesoderm Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.  Developmental Aspects The thymus (endodermal origin) forms as an outgrowth of the pharynx Except for the spleen and tonsils, lymphoid organs are poorly developed at birth Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.