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Lymphatic System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What is the lymphatic system?

    The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, tissues, and organs that helps maintain fluid balance, absorbs fats, and supports immunity.

  • What are the two main components of the lymphatic system?

    The two main components are lymphatic vessels and lymphoid tissues/organs.

  • What are the functions of the lymphatic system?

    Functions include fluid balance, fat absorption from the digestive tract, and immune defense.

  • Define immunity.

    Immunity is the body's ability to resist or defend against infection and disease.

  • What is the fluid in the lymphatic vessels called?

    The fluid is called lymph, which is interstitial fluid collected from tissues.

  • What are lymphatic capillaries?

    Lymphatic capillaries are tiny, blind-ended vessels that absorb interstitial fluid to form lymph.

  • What are lymphoid follicles (nodules)?

    Lymphoid follicles are dense clusters of lymphocytes found in lymphoid tissues, often sites of immune activation.

  • What are examples of lymphoid follicles?

    Examples include follicles in lymph nodes, tonsils, and Peyer's patches in the ileum.

  • What are the different lymph trunks and what body regions do they drain?

    Major trunks include jugular (head/neck), subclavian (upper limbs), bronchomediastinal (thorax), intestinal (abdomen), and lumbar (lower limbs, pelvis).

  • What lymph trunks drain into the cisterna chyli?

    The intestinal and lumbar trunks drain into the cisterna chyli, a sac-like reservoir.

  • What lymph vessels and trunks drain into the thoracic duct?

    The thoracic duct receives lymph from the cisterna chyli, left jugular, left subclavian, and left bronchomediastinal trunks.

  • What region of the body drains into the right lymphatic duct?

    The right lymphatic duct drains lymph from the right side of the head, neck, thorax, and right upper limb.

  • Where do lymph vessels join the venous system?

    Lymph vessels join the venous system at the junction of the jugular vein and subclavian vein on the left and right sides.

  • What characteristics do lymph vessels have that prevent backflow?

    Lymph vessels have valves that prevent backflow and ensure one-way lymph movement.

  • How is lymph moved through the lymphatic system?

    Lymph moves by skeletal muscle contractions, respiratory movements, and valve action in vessels.

  • What is edema?

    Edema is swelling caused by excess interstitial fluid accumulation.

  • What is lymphedema?

    Lymphedema is swelling due to impaired lymph drainage, often from lymph vessel blockage.

  • What are lacteals and where are they found?

    Lacteals are specialized lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine that absorb dietary fats.

  • What is reticular tissue and what produces the reticular fibers?

    Reticular tissue is a connective tissue with reticular fibers produced by reticular cells, forming a supportive network in lymphoid organs.

  • What is the function of reticular fibers?

    Reticular fibers provide a supportive framework for lymphoid tissues and organs.

  • What are the two types of lymphocytes?

    The two types are B cells (produce antibodies) and T cells (cell-mediated immunity).

  • What are macrophages?

    Macrophages are phagocytic cells that engulf pathogens and debris in lymphoid tissues.

  • What are dendritic cells?

    Dendritic cells capture antigens and present them to lymphocytes to initiate immune responses.

  • What does phagocytosis mean?

    Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf and digest pathogens or debris.

  • What is Mucosa-Associated Lymphatic Tissue (MALT) and where can it be found?

    MALT is lymphoid tissue in mucous membranes, found in respiratory, digestive, and urogenital tracts.

  • What are germinal centers?

    Germinal centers are zones in lymphoid follicles where B cells proliferate after activation by pathogens.

  • What are the specialized MALTs in the oral and nasal cavities?

    Specialized MALTs include the tonsils in the oral and nasal cavities.

  • What specialized MALTs are found in the ileum?

    Peyer's patches are specialized MALTs found in the ileum of the small intestine.

  • What specialized MALT is found off the large intestine?

    The appendix contains specialized MALT associated with the large intestine.