1. Health Science Technology Dr. Halbert
Lymphatic System
Health Science Technology
Dr. Halbert

2. Objectives Understand the flow of lymph through the lymph vessels
List the functions of lymph nodes
Identify the 2 lymphatic ducts and the areas of the body that each drain
List the functions of the spleen
Describe the function of the thymus
Understand the disease of the lymphatic system
Define the vocabulary words

3. Vocabulary Words Cisterna chyli Lacteals Lymph Lymph nodes
Lymphatic capillaries
Lymphatic system
Lymphatic vessels
Right lymphatic duct
Spleen
Thoracic duct
Thymus
Tonsils

4. Lymphatic system
Consists of lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue

6. Lymph
Thin watery fluid composed of interstitial fluid, digested nutrients, salts, hormones, O2, CO2, lymphocytes, metabolic waste

7. Lymphatic vessels
Located throughout the body in almost all the tissues that have blood vessels
Contain valves

8. Lymphatic capillaries
Small open ended lymph vessels
Pick up lymph (about 3 L a day) at tissues throughout the body

9. Lymphatic capillaries join together to form larger lymphatic vessels, which pass through lymph nodes
Contraction of skeletal muscle causes the lymph to flow
Lymphatic vessels have valves that keep flow in one direction

10. Lacteals
Specialized lymphatic capillaries in the area of the small intestine pick up digested fats or lipids
Chyle: lymph mixed with lipids

11. Lymph nodes
“glands”
Located throughout the body, usually in groups

12. Functions of lymph nodes
Filter lymph and remove impurities such as carbon, cancer cells, pathogens, dead blood cells
Produce lymphocytes and antibodies (substances used to combat infection)

13. Lymphatic vessels leaving the lymph nodes join together to form larger lymph vessels and these vessel drain into one of two lymphatic ducts: right lymphatic duct or the thoracic duct

14. Right Lymphatic Duct
Receives purified lymph from the right side of the head, neck and chest and the right arm
Empties into the right subclavian vein

15. Thoracic Duct Larger and drains lymph from the rest of the body
Empties in to the left subclavian vein

17. Cisterna chyli Pouch like structure at the start of the thoracic duct
Serves as a storage area for purified lymph

19. Examples of Lymphatic Tissue
Tonsils
Spleen
Thymus

20. Tonsils Three pairs: Palatine tonsils: on each side of the soft palate
Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids): in nasopharynx
Lingual tonsils: back of the tongue

21. Spleen
Located beneath the left side of the diaphragm and in the back of the upper part of the stomach

22. Functions of the Spleen
Produces leukocytes & antibodies
Destroys old erythrocytes
Stores erythrocytes
Destroys thrombocytes
Filters metabolites & wastes

23. Thymus Located at the center of the upper chest
Atrophies after puberty
Produces antibodies &
fights infection in
early life

25. Diseases of the Lymphatic System

26. Adenitis
Inflammation of the lymph nodes

27. Hodgkin’s disease Chronic malignant disease of the lymph nodes
Most common form of lymphoma

28. Lymphangitis
Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, usually resulting from infection in an arm or leg

29. Splenomegaly Enlargement of the spleen May occur from:
Abnormal accumulation of RBCs
Mononucleosis
Cirrhosis

30. Tonsillitis
Inflammation of the tonsils, usually the pharyngeal & palatine tonsils

31. Image Citations
Slide 4, 6, 7, 10, 22: Delmar Learning’s Medical Terminology Image Library, Second Edition, Version 1.0, 2003.
Slide 15: The Thoracic Duct, 3/17/06,
Slide 17: Lymph vessels and nodes of the small intestines, 3/17/06,
Slide 19: Tonsils, 3/17/06,
Slide 20: Spleen, 3/17/06,
Slide 24: Tuberculosis Adenitis, 3/17/06,
Slide 25: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, 3/17/06,
Slide 26: Hand Infection with Ascending Lymphangitis,
Slide 27: Splenomegaly, 3/17/06,
Slide 28: Tonsillitis, 3/17/06,