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Lympathic System
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the three main functions of the lymphatic system? | Acts as a secondary circulatory system transporting and filtering interstitial fluid (lymph); returns tissue fluid to the blood; monitors the body for pathogens (critical role in immunity). |
| What is lymph? | Fluid that starts as blood plasma forced out of capillaries. It is also known as interstitial fluid before it is absorbed into the lymphatic vessels. |
| What are lymphatic capillaries? | Thin-walled vessels that collect excess interstitial fluid and other substances from the tissues and transport them to the lymphatic vessels. |
| What distinguishes central lymphoid tissues from peripheral lymphoid tissues? | Central lymphoid tissues can replenish lymphocytes; peripheral lymphoid tissues cannot. |
| What are the two central lymphoid tissues and their roles? | Thymus — site of T-cell maturation (individuals without a functioning thymus lack functional T-cells); Bone Marrow — produces lymphocytes. |
| What is the role of lymph nodes? | Contain leukocytes that filter lymph and can initiate an immune response. |
| What is the role of the spleen? | Filters blood as it passes through. |
| What are adenoids? | A mass of lymphatic tissue that inspects incoming food and air for pathogens. |
| What is the role of the appendix in the lymphatic system? | Contains lymphoid tissue that helps destroy bacteria before they breach the intestinal wall during absorption. |
| What are Peyer's Patches? | Large aggregates of lymphoid tissue found in the small intestine. |
| How does lymph fluid move through the body? | Movement is assisted by one-way valves, skeletal muscle contraction, and smooth muscle lining. |
| Where are lymphatic capillaries absent? | Bones, bone marrow, teeth, and the CNS. |
| Where does lymph ultimately go? | It is returned to the blood. |
| What happens when the lymphatic system becomes blocked? | Fluid pools in the tissue instead of returning to circulation, causing swelling and edema. |
| What is edema? | Swelling caused by fluid pooling in tissue; it can further constrain blood flow. |
| What causes lymphatic system blockage? | An obstruction such as a tumor pressing against a lymph vessel. |
| What is a lymph node biopsy used for? | To detect cancer and determine where cancer cells have traveled throughout the body. |
| What are endothelial "flaps" and what is their function? | Flap-like openings on lymphatic capillaries that allow interstitial fluid to enter the lymphatic vessel; they act as one-way gates preventing backflow. |
| What is the relationship between arterioles, venules, and lymphatic capillaries in tissue? | Arterioles deliver blood to tissues, venules reabsorb some fluid back into circulation, and lymphatic capillaries collect the remaining excess interstitial fluid that venules cannot reabsorb. |
| What are the masses found inside lymph nodes? | Masses of lymphocytes and macrophages, which work together to filter lymph and destroy pathogens. |
| Trace the full path of lymph from tissue to blood. | Interstitial fluid → absorbed by lymphatic capillaries → travels through lymphatic vessels → passes through lymph nodes → enters lymphatic ducts → drains into the subclavian vein → returned to systemic blood circulation. |
| What are the two lymphatic ducts and what do they do? | The right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct; both drain lymph from their respective sides of the body into the subclavian veins, returning lymph to the bloodstream. |
| What is a lymphatic trunk? | A large lymphatic vessel that collects lymph from lymph nodes and carries it toward the lymphatic ducts before draining into the subclavian vein. |
| Why does the lymphatic system need assistance to move fluid, unlike the cardiovascular system? | The lymphatic system has no central pump like the heart; it relies entirely on one-way valves, skeletal muscle contractions, and smooth muscle in vessel walls to push lymph forward. |
| How do one-way valves contribute to lymph movement? | They prevent backflow, ensuring lymph only moves in one direction toward the lymphatic ducts and ultimately the subclavian vein. |
| How does skeletal muscle contraction move lymph? | When skeletal muscles contract during movement or exercise, they squeeze surrounding lymphatic vessels, pushing lymph forward through the one-way valves. |
| How does smooth muscle lining assist lymph movement? | Smooth muscle in the walls of larger lymphatic vessels contracts rhythmically to actively propel lymph forward, similar to peristalsis. |
| How does interstitial fluid become lymph? | Interstitial fluid floating between cells is absorbed by lymphatic capillaries via endothelial flaps, at which point it is referred to as lymph. |
Created by:
smurtab