The Lymphatic System

By: Rachel McConnell and Hope Uzbalis

What is the Lymphatic System?

The Lymphatic System is a subsection of the Circulatory System that transports a fluid called lymph from the tissues back to the bloodstream, while cleaning the tissues and removing pathogens along the way.

Functions of The Lymphatic System

1. Immune System: Removes foreign material from the body via lymph nodes and develops immune cells (lymphocytes)

2. Fluid Balance: Returns excess fluid to the cardiovascular system

3. Fat Transport: Transports absorbed fats from small intestine to the liver

What is Lymph and How is it Moved Through Lymphatic Vessels?

The lymph moves in only one direction; upwards towards the subclavian veins in the neck. Valves in the vessels prevent backflow of lymph.

Components of The Lymphatic System

Organ Function

Lymph A clear, water-like liquid that transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and fatty acids, as well as toxins and other cellular waste products.

Lymphatic vessels Transport lymph from all regions of the body to the cardiovascular system via lymph ducts into the subclavian veins.

Bone Marrow and Peyer’s Patches

Site of B-lymphocyte maturation.

Tonsils and Adenoids Contain T and B cells that help provide protection from harmful substances entering the body.

Thymus Serves as the site of T-lymphocyte maturation, development, and control

Spleen Filters blood, is the location of pathogen engulfment and eradication, the immunologic response, and the regulation site.

Lymph nodes Small, bean-shaped structures that make and store lymphocytes that fight infection and disease, filter lymph, and initiate an immune response.

What Happens in the Lymph Node?

Lymphatic System and Cancer

Lymphatic System and Cancer Continued

Lymph Nodes become overwhelmed by caught cancer cells and soon become cancerous. This can indicate how far the cancer has spread and the stage the cancer is in.

Staging System: T - TumorN - NodesM - Metastases

THE END!!!

Quiz Time!

2. Lymph

B. A clear, water-like liquid that transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and fatty acids, as well as toxins and other cellular waste products.

4. Lymph nodes

D. Small, bean-shaped structures that make and store lymphocytes that fight infection and disease, filter lymph, and initiate an immune response.

1. Spleen C. Filters blood, is the location of pathogen engulfment and eradication, the immunologic response, and the regulation site.

5. Bone Marrow and Peyer’s Patches

E. Site of B-lymphocyte maturation.

3.Thymus

A. Serves as the site of T-lymphocyte maturation, development, and control

Lymph

A clear, water-like liquid that transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and fatty acids, as well as toxins and other cellular waste products.

Lymph nodes

Small, bean-shaped structures that make and store lymphocytes that fight infection and disease, filter lymph, and initiate an immune response.

Spleen Filters blood, is the location of pathogen engulfment and eradication, the immunologic response, and the regulation site.

Bone Marrow and Peyer’s Patches

Site of B-lymphocyte maturation.

Thymus

Serves as the site of T-lymphocyte maturation, development, and control

Question

What are the three main functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer

transport fat

return excess fluid to the cardiovascular system

immune response against foreign material

Question

What system is used to diagnose cancer severity?

Answer

TNM (number of tumours, nodes affected, and number of metastases)

Question

What is one structure that a lymph node uses to slow lymph flow?

Answer

trabeculae

Hilum

efferent lymphatic vessel (s)

reticular fibres