H.
L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Assignment 8B: Understand the impact of disorders on
the physiology of the lymphatic system and the
associated corrective treatments
Introduction
In this assignment, the lymphatic system and related disorders have been
researched to determine the impact on the lymphatic system and how this
impact can be reduced using corrective treatments.
The physiological reasoning behind these treatments has been explained in
terms of how they help return the normal functioning of the lymphatic system.
The disorder researched has also been evaluated using a patient case study and
the reasoning behind treatments used has been discussed regarding the benefits
and problems of treatments.
In addition to this, the gross anatomy of the lymphatic system has been included
in this assignment with a labelled diagram to illustrate the different structures of
the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system
Figure 1- La
1
, H.
L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Overview
The lymphatic system is comprised of lymphatic vessels, lymphatic organs
(thymus, spleen, and tonsils) and lymph nodes (axillary, abdominal, inguinal,
popliteal, supratrochlear).
The main function of the lymphatic system is to balance fluid levels in the body
by transporting fluid (lymph) that leaks out of vessels. The fluid that leaks out of
vessels is referred to as lymph: a colourless fluid consisting of white blood cells.
This lymph is formed when the fluid within gaps of cells drains into lymphatic
capillaries. Lymph is a major part of the lymphatic system as its function is to
transport waste and useful substances, e.g., antibodies and lymphocytes, into
the bloodstream where it flows through the lymphatic vessels to the lymphatic
glands. These glands then filter the lymph, removing antibody-coated bacteria
and damaged cells, e.g., old red blood cells. Lymphatic fluid, therefore, helps to
keep the body healthy by removing waste that is produced by metabolic
processes and transporting useful substances to cells that are infected by
pathogens.
Figure 2- Diagram of the valves in lymphatic vessels
The lymphatic vessels are tube-like structures (8)
that work to maintain the levels of fluid in the
body by removing fluids that are drained from
blood vessels. They contain valves that keep
the fluid moving in one direction under low
pressure. This ensures the backflow of
lymphatic fluid is prevented. Although the fluid
is under low pressure, compression by
contracting adjacent skeletal muscle and
arteriole pulsation forces the movement of
lymph to occur. These one-way valves help the
lymphatic fluid flow from node to node- see
Figure 2. Lymphatic vessels contribute to the effective functioning of the
lymphatic system by connecting to groups of lymphatic nodes throughout the
body, ensuring the effective drainage of lymphatic fluid.
The spleen is a lymphatic organ that removes old blood cells, holding a reserve
of blood in case of haemorrhagic shock. They also contribute to the effective
functioning of the lymphatic system by helping to regulate the amount of blood
and blood cells that circulate in the body. The spleen also consists of white blood
cells that help to remove pathogens found in the blood by attacking and
destroying them.
The thymus is another lymphatic organ that produces T-cells in response for the
immune system to fight and destroy pathogens. The way that these T cells are
produced is during childhood years when white blood cells pass through the
thymus to be converted into T cells. The thymus helps to contribute to the
effective functioning of the lymphatic system by generating T-cells that enter the
bloodstream and the lymphatic system.
One other lymphatic organ is the tonsils, and they face the digestive tract in the
human body. They act to prevent the spread of infections by trapping pathogens
that are breathed in, contributing to the effective functioning of the lymphatic
2
L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Assignment 8B: Understand the impact of disorders on
the physiology of the lymphatic system and the
associated corrective treatments
Introduction
In this assignment, the lymphatic system and related disorders have been
researched to determine the impact on the lymphatic system and how this
impact can be reduced using corrective treatments.
The physiological reasoning behind these treatments has been explained in
terms of how they help return the normal functioning of the lymphatic system.
The disorder researched has also been evaluated using a patient case study and
the reasoning behind treatments used has been discussed regarding the benefits
and problems of treatments.
In addition to this, the gross anatomy of the lymphatic system has been included
in this assignment with a labelled diagram to illustrate the different structures of
the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system
Figure 1- La
1
, H.
L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Overview
The lymphatic system is comprised of lymphatic vessels, lymphatic organs
(thymus, spleen, and tonsils) and lymph nodes (axillary, abdominal, inguinal,
popliteal, supratrochlear).
The main function of the lymphatic system is to balance fluid levels in the body
by transporting fluid (lymph) that leaks out of vessels. The fluid that leaks out of
vessels is referred to as lymph: a colourless fluid consisting of white blood cells.
This lymph is formed when the fluid within gaps of cells drains into lymphatic
capillaries. Lymph is a major part of the lymphatic system as its function is to
transport waste and useful substances, e.g., antibodies and lymphocytes, into
the bloodstream where it flows through the lymphatic vessels to the lymphatic
glands. These glands then filter the lymph, removing antibody-coated bacteria
and damaged cells, e.g., old red blood cells. Lymphatic fluid, therefore, helps to
keep the body healthy by removing waste that is produced by metabolic
processes and transporting useful substances to cells that are infected by
pathogens.
Figure 2- Diagram of the valves in lymphatic vessels
The lymphatic vessels are tube-like structures (8)
that work to maintain the levels of fluid in the
body by removing fluids that are drained from
blood vessels. They contain valves that keep
the fluid moving in one direction under low
pressure. This ensures the backflow of
lymphatic fluid is prevented. Although the fluid
is under low pressure, compression by
contracting adjacent skeletal muscle and
arteriole pulsation forces the movement of
lymph to occur. These one-way valves help the
lymphatic fluid flow from node to node- see
Figure 2. Lymphatic vessels contribute to the effective functioning of the
lymphatic system by connecting to groups of lymphatic nodes throughout the
body, ensuring the effective drainage of lymphatic fluid.
The spleen is a lymphatic organ that removes old blood cells, holding a reserve
of blood in case of haemorrhagic shock. They also contribute to the effective
functioning of the lymphatic system by helping to regulate the amount of blood
and blood cells that circulate in the body. The spleen also consists of white blood
cells that help to remove pathogens found in the blood by attacking and
destroying them.
The thymus is another lymphatic organ that produces T-cells in response for the
immune system to fight and destroy pathogens. The way that these T cells are
produced is during childhood years when white blood cells pass through the
thymus to be converted into T cells. The thymus helps to contribute to the
effective functioning of the lymphatic system by generating T-cells that enter the
bloodstream and the lymphatic system.
One other lymphatic organ is the tonsils, and they face the digestive tract in the
human body. They act to prevent the spread of infections by trapping pathogens
that are breathed in, contributing to the effective functioning of the lymphatic
2
