“Lymphatic System”

SAMAN KHAN
LECTURER
Department of Paramedical sciences
 INTRODUCTION
 The lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels, and tissues
that work together to move a colorless, watery fluid (lymph)
back into your circulatory system (your bloodstream).
 The lymphatic system is part of your immune system. It
produces and releases lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell)
and other immune cells. These cells look for and destroy
invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, that may
enter your body.

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 It is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of
toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials.
 It helps to maintain fluid balance in the body by collecting
excess fluid and particulate matter from tissues and depositing
them in the bloodstream.
 It also helps defend the body against infection by
supplying lymphocytes.
 The lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels
connected to lymph nodes, where the lymph is filtered.

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 Parts Of Lymphatic System
 Main structures of the lymphatic system are-

1. Lymph
2. Lymphatic vessels
3. Lymph nodes
4. Tonsils
5. Lymphoid organs, Eg: Spleen &Thymus
6. Bone marrow

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 Lymph
 Lymph is a clear watery fluid, similar in composition to
plasma, with the important exception of plasma proteins, and
identical in composition to interstitial fluid.
 It also carries away larger particles, eg Bacteria, Cell debris,
etc.
 Contains lymphocytes that circulate throughout the body
allowing them to patrol the different regions.

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• Lymph, also called lymphatic fluid, is a collection of the extra fluid
that drains from cells and tissues in your body and isn’t reabsorbed
into your capillaries.
• Lymph contains many different substances, including proteins,
minerals, fats, damaged cells, cancer cells, and germs. Lymph also
transports infection-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes).
• Interstitial fluid (fluid between cells) that has entered and flows
through the lymphatic vessel. It is a clear watery fluid that resembles
blood plasma but has fewer proteins
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 Metastatic cancer cells can also be transported via lymph.
 Lymph also transports fats from the digestive system to the
blood via chylomicrons.

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 Lymphatic Capillaries
 These are located near blood capillaries and receive tissue
fluid from connective tissue when there is an increased
volume of tissue fluid.
 Larger diameter than blood capillaries.
 They are very permeable and collect tissue fluid and protein.
 Lymph capillaries merge to form larger vessels.
 It is made up of a single layer of endothelial cells with few
intercellular junctions that are laid over each other like roof
tiles. This creates mini valves that can open very easily when
you have a build-up of fluid from the outside. 10
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 We do not have lymphatic capillaries in bones, teeth (not much
fluid there leaking out anyway), bone marrow, or the CNS.
 Lacteals are highly specialized capillaries located in the villi
of the small intestine to absorb fats/fatty acids.

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 Lymph Vessels
 They are thin-walled vessels (tubes) structured like blood
vessels that carry lymph.
 These are similar to blood vessels and carry lymph throughout
the body.
 Lymph vessels are lined by endothelial cells and have a thin
layer of smooth muscle and adventitia that binds the lymph
vessels to the surrounding tissue.
 Lymph vessels are devoted to the pushing of the lymph from
the lymph capillaries, which are mainly concerned with the
absorption of interstitial fluid from the tissues. 13
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 Lymph vessels that carry lymph to a lymph node are called
afferent lymph vessels, and those that carry it from a lymph
node are called efferent lymph vessels.
 Lymph ducts drain the lymph into one of the subclavian
veins and thus return it to general circulation.

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 Lymph Nodes
 They are kidney-shaped small glands that filter lymph.
 They store white blood cells and WBC which are responsible
for killing invading organisms.
 They are major sites of lymphocytes that include B and T
cells.
 They act like a military checkpoint, when bacteria, viruses,
and abnormal or diseased cells pass through the lymph
channels, they are stopped at the node.
 When faced with infection or illness, the lymph nodes
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accumulate debris, such as bacteria and dead or diseased cells.
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 Lymph nodes are located throughout the body.
 They can be found underneath the skin in many areas
including: in the armpits, under the jaw, on either side of the
neck, on either side of the groin, above the collarbone.
 Lymph nodes are kidney or oval shaped and range in size from
0.1 to 2.5 cm long.

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 Lymph nodes are bean-shaped glands that monitor and cleanse
lymph as it filters through them. They clear out damaged cells
and cancer cells.
 Lymph nodes also store lymphocytes and other immune
system cells that attack and destroy harmful substances like
bacteria. We have about 600 lymph nodes scattered throughout
our body. Some are closely connected in groups called chains.
You may be able to feel some lymph nodes through your skin,
in areas like your armpits, groin, or neck. Others are deeper
inside your body. 19
 Lymphatic Trunks
 As the lymph get collected, it goes to the trunks.
 From here the lymph is drained into the venous system.
 Five major lymph trunks
 Lumbar trunks
 Receives lymph from lower limbs
 Intestinal trunk
 Receives chyle from digestive organs

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 Bronchomediastinal trunks
 Collects lymph from thoracic viscera
 Subclavian trunks
 Receive lymph from upper limbs and thoracic wall
 Jugular trunks
 Drain lymph from the head and neck

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 Lymphatic ducts
 Lymphatic ducts finally dump fluid back into the system.

1. The thoracic duct empties into the left internal jugular and
left subclavian veins.
2. The right lymphatic duct empties at the right internal
jugular and right subclavian vein.
• Lymph empties into two conducting ducts.
• Lymph from these ducts enters the bloodstream via the left
subclavian vein and the right subclavian vein.

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 Tonsils
 They are soft tissue masses consisting of the two adenoid
tonsils, two tubal tonsils, two palatine tonsils, and the lingual
tonsils.
 Each tonsil is composed of tissue similar to lymph nodes,
covered by pink mucosa (like on the adjacent mouth lining).
 They help to fight against infections.
 The tonsils have on their surface specialized antigen capture
cells called M cells that allow for the uptake of antigens
produced by pathogens.
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 These M cells then alert the
underlying B cells and T
cells in the tonsil that a
pathogen is present and an
immune response is
stimulated.

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 Thymus
 Lies in the upper part of the mediastinum behind the sternum
and extends upwards into the root of the neck.
 Weighs about 10-15 g at birth and grows until the individual
reaches puberty, 30-40g by middle age, it is prominent in
newborns, and almost disappears by old age.
 Consists of two lobes which are enclosed by a fibrous capsule
that dips into their substances, dividing them into lobules that
produce lymphocytes.
 It secret thymosin hormone for T lymphocyte maturation.
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 Spleen
 The spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system.
 The spleen, in healthy adult humans, is approximately 7 cm to
14 cm in length.
 It is located in the upper left part of the abdomen.
 It keeps all the body fluids balanced and filters the blood.
 It is made up of a red pulp tissue that filters the old and
damaged red blood cells, whereas, the white pulp tissue that
consists of the B and T cells that help to fight infections.

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 It also helps to fight against bacteria that cause diseases such
as meningitis and pneumonia.
 It synthesizes antibodies in its white pulp and removes
antibody-coated bacteria and antibody-coated blood cells by
way of blood and lymph node circulation.

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• Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). This mucus
membrane exists throughout your body in many important
locations. For example, it lines your tonsils, airways, small
intestine, and appendix. MALT looks for and destroys germs
that could harm you.

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• Bone Marrow:
• Located in flat bones and the ends of long bones.
• Produces B cells and T cell precursors. B cells mature here.
• Primary Lymphoid Organs:
• These are responsible for the production and maturation of
lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
• Secondary Lymphoid Organs:
• These are sites where lymphocytes become activated in
response to antigens.
• Secondary Lymphoid Organs:
• These are sites where lymphocytes become activated in
response to antigens

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