HLTAP401B PPT4 Lymphatic System

Diploma of Nursing
HLTAP401 B Confirm Physical Health Status
The Lymphatic System

Learning Objectives
In this session you will learn about:
• Functions
• Lymph Vessels - locations, structure and functions
• Lymph Nodes
• Lymph Organs
• Lymphoid tissue
• Homeostatic Imbalances

The Lymphatic System
Functions:

Tissue drainage Absorption in small intestine Immunity

(Image: Patton: Anatomy and Physiology, 8th
Edition)

The Lymphatic System
Consists of:
- Lymph
- Lymph vessels
- Lymph nodes
- Lymph organs eg spleen & thymus - Lymphoid tissue eg tonsils
- Bone marrow

(Imag: Marieb 2009 p404)

Lymph
Lymph(Lymphatic fluid):
• Clear, watery fluid
• Transports leaked plasma proteins
• Bacteria and cell debris destroyed by lymph nodes
• Contains lymphocytes
• Lymph in the Small Intestine is called Chyle

Lymph Vessels
Comprise:
1. Lymph Capillaries
2. Larger Lymph Vessels

(Image: Patton: Anatomy and Physiology, 8th
Edition)

Lymph Vessels

(Image: Patton: Anatomy and Physiology, 8th
Edition)

Lymph Nodes
Structure:

Marieb 2009

Lymph Nodes
Functions:
• Filtering and phagocytosis
•

Hematopoiesis

(Image: Patton: Anatomy and Physiology, 8th
Edition)

Lymph Node Locations

Marieb 2009 p 406

Lymph Nodes
Colour Scanning Electron Microscope of Lymph Node

Spleen

Location

Anatomy

Spleen
Functions:
• Phagocytosis
•

Reservoir of blood

•

Immune Response

•

Erythropoiesis

Thymus Gland
- Located behind the sternum, in the upper part of the mediastinum - Produces hormones (eg: thymosin) to program Tlymphocytes

M.A.L.T.
Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue (M.A.L.T.)
- Collections of lymphoid tissue that are not contained within a capsule and are strategically placed throughout the body

Types:
1. Tonsils
2. Peyer’s Patches

M.A.L.T.
1. Tonsils:

2. Peyer’s Patches:

Jung et al. 2010

Homeostatic Imbalance
Diseases of Lymph Nodes:
1. Lymphadenitis
2. Lymphomas
3. Malignant Metastases

Homeostatic Imbalance
Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast

Homeostatic

References: Harris, P, Nagy, S & Vardaxis, N. 2010 Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions, 2nd Edition, Elsevier, Australia Herlihy, B. 2007 The Human Body in Health and Illness, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, Canada Jung, C, Hugot, J, Barreau, F, 2010, Review Article Peyer’s Patches: The immune Sensors of the intestine, International Journal of Inflammation, 2010, P2, from SAGEHindawi Access to Research Marieb, E Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco Patton, K, Thibodeau, G, A, 2012, Anatomy and Physiology, 8th Edition, Elsevier,