SECTION 1: LYMPHATIC SYSTEM STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is a primary function of the lymphatic system?
A) Transport of oxygen
B) Return of interstitial fluid to the blood
C) Synthesis of vitamin D
D) Production of red blood cells
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The lymphatic system collects excess interstitial fluid and plasma proteins
and returns them to the venous circulation, maintaining fluid balance. It does not
transport oxygen (RBCs), produce RBCs, or synthesize vitamin D.
QUESTION 2
The lymphatic system plays a key role in the absorption of dietary lipids through
specialized vessels called:
A) Lacteals
B) Arterioles
C) Sinusoids
D) Venules
ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Lacteals are lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine that absorb
chylomicrons containing long-chain fatty acids. Arterioles and venules are blood vessels;
sinusoids are leaky capillaries in the liver.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is NOT a function of the lymphatic system?
A) Immune defense
B) Fluid balance
C) Erythropoiesis
D) Lipid absorption
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) occurs in the bone marrow, not
the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system functions in immune defense, fluid balance,
and lipid absorption.
,QUESTION 4
Lymph nodes filter which fluid?
A) Blood
B) Cerebrospinal fluid
C) Synovial fluid
D) Lymph
ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Lymph nodes are interposed along lymphatic vessels and filter lymph,
trapping antigens and pathogens while providing a site for immune cell activation. The
spleen filters blood.
QUESTION 5
The spleen's white pulp is rich in:
A) Erythrocytes
B) Lymphocytes and macrophages
C) Smooth muscle
D) Adipose tissue
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: White pulp forms periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths and germinal centers,
where immune responses to blood-borne antigens are initiated. Red pulp filters and
removes old red blood cells.
QUESTION 6
The thymus is the site of maturation for which lymphocyte?
A) B lymphocyte
B) Natural killer cell
C) T lymphocyte
D) Plasma cell
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Immature T cells migrate from bone marrow to the thymus, where they
undergo positive and negative selection, becoming immunocompetent and self-tolerant.
B cells mature in bone marrow.
, QUESTION 7
Tonsils are located in the pharynx and function to:
A) Produce hormones
B) Filter lymph from the lower extremities
C) Trap and remove pathogens entering through the mouth and nose
D) Mature T cells
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The tonsils form a ring of lymphoid tissue at the entrance of the pharynx,
sampling inhaled and ingested antigens to initiate immune responses.
QUESTION 8
Peyer's patches are aggregates of lymphoid tissue found in the wall of the:
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine (ileum)
C) Large intestine
D) Esophagus
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Peyer's patches are lymphoid nodules in the ileum of the small intestine
that monitor intestinal pathogens and initiate immune responses.
QUESTION 9
The largest lymphatic vessel that drains lymph from the lower body and left side of the
upper body is the:
A) Right lymphatic duct
B) Thoracic duct
C) Cisterna chyli
D) Subclavian vein
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The thoracic duct drains lymph from the left side of the head, neck, chest,
left upper extremity, and the entire lower body, emptying into the left subclavian vein.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is a primary function of the lymphatic system?
A) Transport of oxygen
B) Return of interstitial fluid to the blood
C) Synthesis of vitamin D
D) Production of red blood cells
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The lymphatic system collects excess interstitial fluid and plasma proteins
and returns them to the venous circulation, maintaining fluid balance. It does not
transport oxygen (RBCs), produce RBCs, or synthesize vitamin D.
QUESTION 2
The lymphatic system plays a key role in the absorption of dietary lipids through
specialized vessels called:
A) Lacteals
B) Arterioles
C) Sinusoids
D) Venules
ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Lacteals are lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine that absorb
chylomicrons containing long-chain fatty acids. Arterioles and venules are blood vessels;
sinusoids are leaky capillaries in the liver.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is NOT a function of the lymphatic system?
A) Immune defense
B) Fluid balance
C) Erythropoiesis
D) Lipid absorption
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) occurs in the bone marrow, not
the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system functions in immune defense, fluid balance,
and lipid absorption.
,QUESTION 4
Lymph nodes filter which fluid?
A) Blood
B) Cerebrospinal fluid
C) Synovial fluid
D) Lymph
ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Lymph nodes are interposed along lymphatic vessels and filter lymph,
trapping antigens and pathogens while providing a site for immune cell activation. The
spleen filters blood.
QUESTION 5
The spleen's white pulp is rich in:
A) Erythrocytes
B) Lymphocytes and macrophages
C) Smooth muscle
D) Adipose tissue
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: White pulp forms periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths and germinal centers,
where immune responses to blood-borne antigens are initiated. Red pulp filters and
removes old red blood cells.
QUESTION 6
The thymus is the site of maturation for which lymphocyte?
A) B lymphocyte
B) Natural killer cell
C) T lymphocyte
D) Plasma cell
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Immature T cells migrate from bone marrow to the thymus, where they
undergo positive and negative selection, becoming immunocompetent and self-tolerant.
B cells mature in bone marrow.
, QUESTION 7
Tonsils are located in the pharynx and function to:
A) Produce hormones
B) Filter lymph from the lower extremities
C) Trap and remove pathogens entering through the mouth and nose
D) Mature T cells
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The tonsils form a ring of lymphoid tissue at the entrance of the pharynx,
sampling inhaled and ingested antigens to initiate immune responses.
QUESTION 8
Peyer's patches are aggregates of lymphoid tissue found in the wall of the:
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine (ileum)
C) Large intestine
D) Esophagus
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Peyer's patches are lymphoid nodules in the ileum of the small intestine
that monitor intestinal pathogens and initiate immune responses.
QUESTION 9
The largest lymphatic vessel that drains lymph from the lower body and left side of the
upper body is the:
A) Right lymphatic duct
B) Thoracic duct
C) Cisterna chyli
D) Subclavian vein
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The thoracic duct drains lymph from the left side of the head, neck, chest,
left upper extremity, and the entire lower body, emptying into the left subclavian vein.
