Lymphatic system

• Body systems


  Major systems that work together to enable organisms to function
• There are 11 major body systems
• Body systems don't work in isolation, they are interconnected
• Musculoskeletal system


  Combination of muscular and skeletal systems
• Urinary system


  Part of the excretory system
• Lymphatic system


  Often overlooked or combined with the immune system, but deserves its own focus
• Interstitial fluid


  Fluid found outside of cells, between cells, surrounding cells
• Lymph


  Fluid that doesn't get reabsorbed by blood capillaries and enters the lymphatic system
• Lymph


  • Derived from blood plasma
  • Can contain proteins, lipids, and lipid soluble vitamins
• Lymph movement


  1. Enters lymphatic capillaries

  2. Travels through lymphatic vessels

  3. Drains into lymphatic ducts
• Lymphatic ducts


  Where lymph drains, specifically the right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct
• Lymphatic system


  Works closely with the circulatory system
• Lymphatic system


  • Collects, filters, and returns lymph to the blood
  • Aids in immune function
• Lymph nodes


  Filter out cellular debris and pathogens from lymph, contain immune cells like lymphocytes and macrophages
• Spleen


  Lymphatic organ that filters blood and contains areas for immune response
• Tonsils


  • Palatine tonsils
  • Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
  • Lingual tonsils
  • Tubal tonsils
• Primary lymphoid organs


  Bone marrow (where B cells develop) and thymus (where T cells mature)
• Secondary lymphoid organs/tissues


  Lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils (where lymphocytes take action but don't develop)
• As people age, the thymus starts to shrink and its activity decreases
• Lymphedema


  Swelling caused by compromised lymphatic system function and accumulation of lymph in tissues
• Lymphatic filariasis is a disease caused by parasitic nematodes that can damage the lymphatic system and cause lymphedema
• Mosquitoes can transmit the nematodes that cause lymphatic filariasis
• The right lymphatic duct drains lymph from the upper part of the body into the right subclavian vein.
• The thoracic duct is the largest lymph vessel and carries most of the lymph from the lower half of the body to the left subclavian vein.
• The lymph nodes, a crucial part of the lymphatic system, filter lymph fluid to remove pathogens and foreign particles before returning the fluid to circulation.
• One of the key functions of the lymphatic system is to absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive system and transport them to the bloodstream.
• Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph.
• The lymphatic system helps maintain fluid balance in the body by collecting excess fluid from tissues and returning it to the bloodstream.
• The spleen is an organ located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach. It filters the blood and removes old red blood cells from circulation.
• Lymphocytes are white blood cells produced by bone marrow, which circulate throughout the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels.
• lymph nodes are bean-shaped structures that filter lymph as it passes through them.
• Spleen is a large organ located behind the stomach and serves as a reservoir for red blood cells and platelets, as well as producing antibodies and removing old RBCs.
• Lymph nodes also have macrophages which engulf and destroy microorganisms.
• Lymphocytes are white blood cells produced in bone marrow that play an important role in immune responses.
• Tonsils are small masses of tissue located at the back of the throat that play a role in protecting the respiratory tract from infection.
• Lymph nodes contain white blood cells called lymphocytes which produce antibodies against bacteria and viruses.
• Tonsils are clusters of lymphoid tissue located at various points along the pharynx and serve as filters against bacteria entering through the mouth or nose.
• Adenoids are clusters of immune tissue located behind the nasal cavity and pharynx.
• Tonsils are clusters of lymphoid tissue located at various points along the pharynx and serve as filters against bacteria entering through the mouth or nose.
• Spleen removal may be necessary due to certain medical conditions such as hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, or splenomegaly.