Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Learning aim B: Understand the impact of disorders on the physiology of the
lymphatic system and associated corrective treatment
Title: Impact of lymphatic disorder and associated treatments
P3: Describe the gross anatomy and function of the organs of the
lymphatic system.
Case study:
I am a doctor working at Lewisham Hospital. Today, a 21-year-old woman
named Senna Parkinson visited me and is suffering from inflammation and
swelling in both of her legs. She says that the swelling causes a restriction of
motion, aching, discomfort, and heaviness. From these symptoms, I concluded
that this was a case of lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition where excess
fluid collect in the tissues causing swelling. In common cases, lymphedema is
caused by the removal or damage of lymph nodes.
Lymphatic system:
The lymphatic system has many roles. These include protecting the body from
illness, maintaining body fluid levels, removing cellular waste, and absorbing
digestive tract fats.
, Primary lymphoid organs include: the thymus gland and bone marrow. They
create immune cells called lymphocytes.
Secondary lymphoid organs include: The spleen, lymph nodes, the tonsils, and
tissue in the mucus membrane layers in the body.
Spleen: The spleen is located at the upper side of the abdomen behind the ribs
and next to the stomach. The spleen recognises and removes damaged blood
cells and breaks them down, saving the useful components left behind such as
iron. This keeps the blood circulating in the body clean. The spleen is
composed of two compartments containing red and white pulp full of
lymphoid cells.
Learning aim B: Understand the impact of disorders on the physiology of the
lymphatic system and associated corrective treatment
Title: Impact of lymphatic disorder and associated treatments
P3: Describe the gross anatomy and function of the organs of the
lymphatic system.
Case study:
I am a doctor working at Lewisham Hospital. Today, a 21-year-old woman
named Senna Parkinson visited me and is suffering from inflammation and
swelling in both of her legs. She says that the swelling causes a restriction of
motion, aching, discomfort, and heaviness. From these symptoms, I concluded
that this was a case of lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition where excess
fluid collect in the tissues causing swelling. In common cases, lymphedema is
caused by the removal or damage of lymph nodes.
Lymphatic system:
The lymphatic system has many roles. These include protecting the body from
illness, maintaining body fluid levels, removing cellular waste, and absorbing
digestive tract fats.
, Primary lymphoid organs include: the thymus gland and bone marrow. They
create immune cells called lymphocytes.
Secondary lymphoid organs include: The spleen, lymph nodes, the tonsils, and
tissue in the mucus membrane layers in the body.
Spleen: The spleen is located at the upper side of the abdomen behind the ribs
and next to the stomach. The spleen recognises and removes damaged blood
cells and breaks them down, saving the useful components left behind such as
iron. This keeps the blood circulating in the body clean. The spleen is
composed of two compartments containing red and white pulp full of
lymphoid cells.
