1. ANATOMY OF LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Mario Makarević
2nd year
2013/2014
Mentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

2. Lymph fluid similar to blood plasma filters out of blood vessels
no erythrocytes or platelets
less proteins
more leukocytes
filters out of blood vessels
lymph capillaries collect interstitial fluid

3. Composition
lymphatic vessels
lymphatic organs
lymphatic tissue

4. Lymphatic vessels lymph capillary
single layer of overlapping endothelial cells
blind end
absent from brain, spinal cord, splenic pulp, bone marrow
located next to blood capillaries in tissue spaces

5. Lymphatic vessels lymph vessels afferent and efferent
three-layered wall thinner than vein
semilunar valves, contractile lymphangion

6. Lymphatic vessels lymph trunks
confluence of many efferent lymph vessels
jugular lymph trunks
subclavian lymph trunks
bronchomediastinal lymph trunks
lumbar lymph trunks
intestinal lymph trunk—unpaired

7. Lymphatic vessels lymph ducts right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct
return fluid to blood

8. right lymphatic duct about 1.5 cm in length right venous angle
lymph from right half of head, neck, thorax and right upper limb

9. thoracic duct about 38-45 cm in length
> front of L1 as cisterna chyli – emulsified fats and free fatty acids absorbed by lacteals
> aortic hiatus of the diaphragm
> ascends along on the front of the vertebral column, between thoracic aorta and azygos vein
> left venous angle

10. Lymph nodes collections of stationary lymph tissue
from a few millimeters to about 1–2 cm long
fibrous capsule
afferent lymph vessels entering at the periphery, efferent lymph vessels emerging at the hilum
cortex and medulla

13. Cortex outer region directly beneath capsule
densely packed lymphocytes (B-cells) arranged in follicles – germinal center when challenged with an antigen
deeper cortex – T-cells
subcapsular sinus drains into trabecular

14. Medulla
inner region
strands called medullary cords – B-cells, macrophages and plasma cells
large blood vessels
medullary sinuses

15. Major sites of lymph node concentration
cervical – head and neck
axillary – hand, arm and breast
mediastinal – abdominal cavity
inguinal – lower extremities and external genital organs

16. Diffuse lymphatic tissue
not enclosed by a capsule
reticular connective tissue with lymphatic nodules
almost every organ, lamina propria of mucous membranes
tonsils, Peyer’s patches, appendix

17. Lymph circulation
must be returned to blood stream to maintain blood volume and pressure
antibodies, lymphocytes, and monocytes
obstruction leads to edema

19. Lymph circulation no central pump slow movement
lymph is kept moving by:
contraction of adjacent skeletal muscle and arterial pulsation
contraction of smooth muscles – peristalsis

20. Metastasis bacteria or body cells spread from one body part to another
breast cancer to axillary nodes
chemotherapy

21. Sources http://www.innerbody.com/image/lympov.html