Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Unit 8B- Understand the impact of disorder on the physiology of the lymphatic
system and the associated corrective treatment.
Vocational Scenario:
As part of my college course, I have been offered the chance to participate in a work placement
programme. This has been organised in partnership with a national charity who work to engage
science students in aspirational work experience opportunities. The placement will allow me to
observe specialist laboratory work, practice a variety of scientific techniques and gain first-hand
experience of medical research into the role and function of the lymphatic system and disorders and
associated treatments. On completion of my one-month placement; my assigned learning mentor
requires me to produce a portfolio of evidence demonstrating the knowledge and understanding I
have gained throughout the programme. My portfolio will contain a detailed ‘patient case study’
related to the normal functioning of the lymphatic system, impairment of normal function due to
lymphatic diseases and the treatments used to correct the effects of lymphatic diseases.
My portfolio must be written professionally using appropriate scientific terminology.
Introduction:
One of the most important systems in our body as a whole is the lymphatic system, which is works
closely with the immune system helping with protection against illness and microbes or pathogens
harming us. The lymphatic system is split into two parts primary and secondary. Primary consists of
some of the following lymphoid organs: thymus and bone marrow. Secondary consists of the
following lymphoid organs: tonsils and spleen
Diagram:
, What does the lymphatic system do and why:
The lymphatic system has various roles, but the main ones are Removal of interstitial fluid,
maintaining of hydrostatic pressure and absorption of fat in the digestive system:
Absorption of fat in the digestive system:
Fats are essential for humans as they are a huge part in our diet and release energy. In the body the
absorption of fats is done in the small intestine more specifically in the last region of the small
intestine known as the ileum and its walls. In the ileum it consists of villi and villus contains lacteals
the fat absorbed will enter all the lacteals and chyle which is a liquid made from lymph and fats
which assists with the movement of the fats into the lymph vessel. Once done with the absorption
the fat is released into the bloodstream. This is crucial for the lymphatic system as fats can’t be
released into the bloodstream without digestion.
Removal of interstitial fluid from tissue:
Interstitial fluid is fluid that is discovered in the region of cells more specifically the tissue of the cells.
The tissue fluid originates from materials such as plasma that escape from its location of the blood
capillaries. As well as originating from plasma it is also mainly consists of water and salts. It is useful
as it assists with the cleansing of cells by getting rid of any non-needed materials such as proteins as
well as carbon dioxide, these materials exit the cells and enter the fluid then disperse out. As well as
this the fluid is vital as it is helping with the swapping of materials as well as bringing valuable
Unit 8B- Understand the impact of disorder on the physiology of the lymphatic
system and the associated corrective treatment.
Vocational Scenario:
As part of my college course, I have been offered the chance to participate in a work placement
programme. This has been organised in partnership with a national charity who work to engage
science students in aspirational work experience opportunities. The placement will allow me to
observe specialist laboratory work, practice a variety of scientific techniques and gain first-hand
experience of medical research into the role and function of the lymphatic system and disorders and
associated treatments. On completion of my one-month placement; my assigned learning mentor
requires me to produce a portfolio of evidence demonstrating the knowledge and understanding I
have gained throughout the programme. My portfolio will contain a detailed ‘patient case study’
related to the normal functioning of the lymphatic system, impairment of normal function due to
lymphatic diseases and the treatments used to correct the effects of lymphatic diseases.
My portfolio must be written professionally using appropriate scientific terminology.
Introduction:
One of the most important systems in our body as a whole is the lymphatic system, which is works
closely with the immune system helping with protection against illness and microbes or pathogens
harming us. The lymphatic system is split into two parts primary and secondary. Primary consists of
some of the following lymphoid organs: thymus and bone marrow. Secondary consists of the
following lymphoid organs: tonsils and spleen
Diagram:
, What does the lymphatic system do and why:
The lymphatic system has various roles, but the main ones are Removal of interstitial fluid,
maintaining of hydrostatic pressure and absorption of fat in the digestive system:
Absorption of fat in the digestive system:
Fats are essential for humans as they are a huge part in our diet and release energy. In the body the
absorption of fats is done in the small intestine more specifically in the last region of the small
intestine known as the ileum and its walls. In the ileum it consists of villi and villus contains lacteals
the fat absorbed will enter all the lacteals and chyle which is a liquid made from lymph and fats
which assists with the movement of the fats into the lymph vessel. Once done with the absorption
the fat is released into the bloodstream. This is crucial for the lymphatic system as fats can’t be
released into the bloodstream without digestion.
Removal of interstitial fluid from tissue:
Interstitial fluid is fluid that is discovered in the region of cells more specifically the tissue of the cells.
The tissue fluid originates from materials such as plasma that escape from its location of the blood
capillaries. As well as originating from plasma it is also mainly consists of water and salts. It is useful
as it assists with the cleansing of cells by getting rid of any non-needed materials such as proteins as
well as carbon dioxide, these materials exit the cells and enter the fluid then disperse out. As well as
this the fluid is vital as it is helping with the swapping of materials as well as bringing valuable
