Learning aim B: Understand the impact of disorders on the physiology of the lymphatic
system and the associated corrective treatments
In this placement which I have been put in I will be doing a case study of a healthy working lymphatic
system and an unhealthy lymphatic system. As well as diseases caused by a damaged lymphatic
system. I will also be looking at the different types of treatments given to resolve the diseases, the
benefits and disadvantages of different treatments.
B.P3: describe the gross anatomy and functions of the organs of the lymphatic system: (1)
The human body has many organ systems, one being the lymphatic system. It is also associated with
the immune system. In the lymphatic system there are many organs. An organ is made up of tissues.
Organs have a specific function and specific structure catered to its role that it plays in the organ
systems. There are 4 main tissues; connective, epithelial, muscle and nervous. The lymphatic system
uses smooth muscle and skeletal muscle. The lymphatic system consists of a large webbing of vessels
that spread through the body’s numerous tissues.
The lymphatic system has 3 main objectives:
-Keeping fluids in the body and tissues balanced.
-Works alongside the immune system to fight against infection and other diseases.
-Helps to facilitate the absorption of fat and dissolved nutrients through the digestive system.
Lymphatic fluid works in a similar way to the way blood is circulated in the body. This fluid is clear
and has a watery consistency. It contains electrolytes, salts, proteins, white blood cells and other
substances. Lymph is first formed during the entering of fluids into the capillaries. Lymph fluid is
mainly derived from interstitial fluid. The lymph is released throughout the body via the vessels and
into the body’s tissue. This is how tissue fluid is made. The lymph fluid carries any bacteria, viruses,
cancer cells and more and exits through the lymph vessels. This fluid acts as a drainage system. This
helps to maintain a balance of fluids in the body. The foreign materials are delivered to the lymph
nodes. These waste products will be excreted from the body through the bowel. (Faeces and urine)
The lymphatic vessels transport the lymph fluid towards the heart. The lymphatic system has many
nodes. The body has around 600 lymph nodes. Lymph contains lymphocytes. When the body detects
any infections or diseases white blood cells go to attack these foreign substances, for example
lymphocytes. Lymphocytes cells have antibodies which help the immune system to respond to fight
diseases and infections. This type of white blood cell is produced in the bone marrow and thymus.
Each lymphocyte is assigned to a specific antigen, as the lymphocytes are circulating throughout the
blood it continues to come across an antigen; doing this increases rapid response time when running
into the antigen again. An antigen is a foreign substance found in the body which activates a
response from the immune system. Lymphocytes work alongside with the veins to help form the
lymph fluid. The spleen and thymus also produce white blood cells (lymphocytes). Thus producing
and reproducing antibodies to counteract bacteria, viruses, GI cells (gastrointestinal) and cancer
cells.
Interstitial fluid builds up inside tissues from the pressure of hydrostatic forces, from the capillaries.
This refers to the stress that any fluid in a very constrained area exerts (hydrostatic forces). The fluid
passes out via its pores and into the interstitial area. Lymphatic capillaries accumulate lymph fluid
through the tissues. This fluid is plasma. This releases out of the cardiovascular capillaries within the
tissues as the forces of hydrostatic forces.
system and the associated corrective treatments
In this placement which I have been put in I will be doing a case study of a healthy working lymphatic
system and an unhealthy lymphatic system. As well as diseases caused by a damaged lymphatic
system. I will also be looking at the different types of treatments given to resolve the diseases, the
benefits and disadvantages of different treatments.
B.P3: describe the gross anatomy and functions of the organs of the lymphatic system: (1)
The human body has many organ systems, one being the lymphatic system. It is also associated with
the immune system. In the lymphatic system there are many organs. An organ is made up of tissues.
Organs have a specific function and specific structure catered to its role that it plays in the organ
systems. There are 4 main tissues; connective, epithelial, muscle and nervous. The lymphatic system
uses smooth muscle and skeletal muscle. The lymphatic system consists of a large webbing of vessels
that spread through the body’s numerous tissues.
The lymphatic system has 3 main objectives:
-Keeping fluids in the body and tissues balanced.
-Works alongside the immune system to fight against infection and other diseases.
-Helps to facilitate the absorption of fat and dissolved nutrients through the digestive system.
Lymphatic fluid works in a similar way to the way blood is circulated in the body. This fluid is clear
and has a watery consistency. It contains electrolytes, salts, proteins, white blood cells and other
substances. Lymph is first formed during the entering of fluids into the capillaries. Lymph fluid is
mainly derived from interstitial fluid. The lymph is released throughout the body via the vessels and
into the body’s tissue. This is how tissue fluid is made. The lymph fluid carries any bacteria, viruses,
cancer cells and more and exits through the lymph vessels. This fluid acts as a drainage system. This
helps to maintain a balance of fluids in the body. The foreign materials are delivered to the lymph
nodes. These waste products will be excreted from the body through the bowel. (Faeces and urine)
The lymphatic vessels transport the lymph fluid towards the heart. The lymphatic system has many
nodes. The body has around 600 lymph nodes. Lymph contains lymphocytes. When the body detects
any infections or diseases white blood cells go to attack these foreign substances, for example
lymphocytes. Lymphocytes cells have antibodies which help the immune system to respond to fight
diseases and infections. This type of white blood cell is produced in the bone marrow and thymus.
Each lymphocyte is assigned to a specific antigen, as the lymphocytes are circulating throughout the
blood it continues to come across an antigen; doing this increases rapid response time when running
into the antigen again. An antigen is a foreign substance found in the body which activates a
response from the immune system. Lymphocytes work alongside with the veins to help form the
lymph fluid. The spleen and thymus also produce white blood cells (lymphocytes). Thus producing
and reproducing antibodies to counteract bacteria, viruses, GI cells (gastrointestinal) and cancer
cells.
Interstitial fluid builds up inside tissues from the pressure of hydrostatic forces, from the capillaries.
This refers to the stress that any fluid in a very constrained area exerts (hydrostatic forces). The fluid
passes out via its pores and into the interstitial area. Lymphatic capillaries accumulate lymph fluid
through the tissues. This fluid is plasma. This releases out of the cardiovascular capillaries within the
tissues as the forces of hydrostatic forces.
