Unit 8 lymphatic system disorders
Learning aim B: Understand the impact of disorders on the
physiology of the lymphatic system and the associated corrective
treatments
Anatomy and functions of the lymphatic system:
The lymphatic system works transport lymph (is a colourless fluid) which
identifies and fights pathogen and infections that have entered the body.
Made from a network of tissues and organs. Lymph is fluid containing
pathogen fighting white blood cells from the intestines. The lymph fluid
surrounds all body tissue. The lymphatic system contains lymph vessels which
are connected to lymph nodes. The organs connected to the lymphatic system
include: the spleen, adenoids, tonsils, and thymus. There are many lymph
nodes in the body that are located in the neck, lungs, heart, under arms, groin,
and in the knees and thighs. Lymph is formed when the interstitial fluid is
collected through lymph capillaries, which are located throughout the body. It
is then transported through lymph vessels to lymph nodes, which clean and
filter it. The lymph fluid carries the waste products and destroyed bacteria
back into the bloodstream. The liver or kidneys then remove these from the
blood. The body passes them out with other body waste, through bowel
movements or urine.
Hydrostatic pressure is maintained by the arterioles, the smallest vessels on
the arterial side of the vasculature. Arterioles respond to changes in pressure
and/or flow via their myogenic response. Hydrostatic pressure is needed
especially for astronauts as it is needed to keep your lungs at the right inflation
and to keep the water in the body from vaporising.
The axillary lymph nodes are found in the upper limb. It is responsible for
lymphatic draining. There are up to 30 lymph nodes in the armpit (axillary
region) to drain the vessels of the upper limb, chest walls, abdomen, and the
lateral quadrant of the breast.
The supratrochlear lymph nodes are a small groups that are located
anteromedial part of the arm just above the elbow joint. Their function is to
drain the fingers, across the hand and arms.
Abdominal lymph nodes are divided into two groups parietal and visceral. The
parietal group includes the lymph centres of the abdominal and pelvic walls,
, including the lumbar, ileocecal, and iliofemoral lymph centres. They can be
found in the adrenal glands, kidneys, and mammary glands.
Inguinal lymph nodes are found in the groin in the body. The three parts are
the superomedial, superolateral, and inferior superficial. Designed to drain the
penis, vulva, scrotum, and anal canal.
Popliteal lymph nodes are deep structures in the fascia in the leg. They
drain lymph from superficial lymphatic vessels, which accompany the small
saphenous vein, as well as deep areas of the leg and foot.
Lacteals can be found in the capillary’s villi of the small intestine. Their function
is to transport lipids and large fat through the digestive system as lipoproteins.
The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system and sits above the
kidney on the left side of the body. The spleen filters the blood controlling how
much of it is stored in the body. The spleen can detect pathogens in the body
and creates white blood cells (lymphocytes). These lymphocytes produce
antibodies (T cells) that kill the pathogens.
Tonsils are groups of lymphatic cells in the pharynx. Tonsils are the primary
defence for against bacteria and viruses. They can become infected
The thymus stores specialised lymphocytes and prepare to realise T cells. It is
located in the chest just above the heart.
Plasma removes itself from the cells once its function has been completed
providing transport for nutrients. Blood flows in a continuous loop unlike
lymph which flows in one direction (upwards toward the neck). Lymphatic
vessels are connected to subclavian veins located on the collarbone of the
neck.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer specifically in the lymph nodes which needs to
be treated to destroy the cancerous cells or it can be fatal you can live for up
to 5 more year without treatment if you are lucky however with treatment
80% of people affected fully recover. Lymphocytes grow and spread
uncontrollably. There are two types of lymphoma Hodgkin’s and non-
Hodgkin’s, Burkitt’s lymphoma. It is more common to have the latter of the
three. Surgery can cause lymphoma specifically breast cancer. Non-
Learning aim B: Understand the impact of disorders on the
physiology of the lymphatic system and the associated corrective
treatments
Anatomy and functions of the lymphatic system:
The lymphatic system works transport lymph (is a colourless fluid) which
identifies and fights pathogen and infections that have entered the body.
Made from a network of tissues and organs. Lymph is fluid containing
pathogen fighting white blood cells from the intestines. The lymph fluid
surrounds all body tissue. The lymphatic system contains lymph vessels which
are connected to lymph nodes. The organs connected to the lymphatic system
include: the spleen, adenoids, tonsils, and thymus. There are many lymph
nodes in the body that are located in the neck, lungs, heart, under arms, groin,
and in the knees and thighs. Lymph is formed when the interstitial fluid is
collected through lymph capillaries, which are located throughout the body. It
is then transported through lymph vessels to lymph nodes, which clean and
filter it. The lymph fluid carries the waste products and destroyed bacteria
back into the bloodstream. The liver or kidneys then remove these from the
blood. The body passes them out with other body waste, through bowel
movements or urine.
Hydrostatic pressure is maintained by the arterioles, the smallest vessels on
the arterial side of the vasculature. Arterioles respond to changes in pressure
and/or flow via their myogenic response. Hydrostatic pressure is needed
especially for astronauts as it is needed to keep your lungs at the right inflation
and to keep the water in the body from vaporising.
The axillary lymph nodes are found in the upper limb. It is responsible for
lymphatic draining. There are up to 30 lymph nodes in the armpit (axillary
region) to drain the vessels of the upper limb, chest walls, abdomen, and the
lateral quadrant of the breast.
The supratrochlear lymph nodes are a small groups that are located
anteromedial part of the arm just above the elbow joint. Their function is to
drain the fingers, across the hand and arms.
Abdominal lymph nodes are divided into two groups parietal and visceral. The
parietal group includes the lymph centres of the abdominal and pelvic walls,
, including the lumbar, ileocecal, and iliofemoral lymph centres. They can be
found in the adrenal glands, kidneys, and mammary glands.
Inguinal lymph nodes are found in the groin in the body. The three parts are
the superomedial, superolateral, and inferior superficial. Designed to drain the
penis, vulva, scrotum, and anal canal.
Popliteal lymph nodes are deep structures in the fascia in the leg. They
drain lymph from superficial lymphatic vessels, which accompany the small
saphenous vein, as well as deep areas of the leg and foot.
Lacteals can be found in the capillary’s villi of the small intestine. Their function
is to transport lipids and large fat through the digestive system as lipoproteins.
The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system and sits above the
kidney on the left side of the body. The spleen filters the blood controlling how
much of it is stored in the body. The spleen can detect pathogens in the body
and creates white blood cells (lymphocytes). These lymphocytes produce
antibodies (T cells) that kill the pathogens.
Tonsils are groups of lymphatic cells in the pharynx. Tonsils are the primary
defence for against bacteria and viruses. They can become infected
The thymus stores specialised lymphocytes and prepare to realise T cells. It is
located in the chest just above the heart.
Plasma removes itself from the cells once its function has been completed
providing transport for nutrients. Blood flows in a continuous loop unlike
lymph which flows in one direction (upwards toward the neck). Lymphatic
vessels are connected to subclavian veins located on the collarbone of the
neck.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer specifically in the lymph nodes which needs to
be treated to destroy the cancerous cells or it can be fatal you can live for up
to 5 more year without treatment if you are lucky however with treatment
80% of people affected fully recover. Lymphocytes grow and spread
uncontrollably. There are two types of lymphoma Hodgkin’s and non-
Hodgkin’s, Burkitt’s lymphoma. It is more common to have the latter of the
three. Surgery can cause lymphoma specifically breast cancer. Non-
