Eshal Khan
Unit 8- Aim B
The Lymphatic system
In this assignment I will
be looking at the gross
anatomy and the
function of the organs of
the lymphatic system. As
well as describing the
effect of disorder on the
lymphatic system and
evaluating possible
corrective treatments.
The lymphatic system is
a network of tissues,
vessels and organs that
work together to move a
watery liquid, called
lymph, back into the
bloodstream. The five
largest organs in the
system include the bone
marrow, spleen, thymus,
lymph nodes and
lymphatic vessels. Within
the adult body there are
around 800 nodes
around the neck, axilla,
thorax, abdomen and groin. The main functions of the lymphatic system include maintaining
fluid levels within the body, absorbing fats from the digestive tract, protecting the body
against foreign invaders (such as bacteria, parasites or fungi), and to transport and remove
waste products and abnormal cells from the lymph (1). Lymph contains peripheral self-
antigens released from tissue homeostatic turnover and metabolism, as well as from foreign
antigens (30).
Name Of Diagram Structure And Function
Organ
, Eshal Khan
Unit 8- Aim B
Spleen (2) The spleen is in the upper left region of the ribcage. It helps
protect the body by disposing of worn-out red blood cells and
other foreign bodies from the bloodstream (12). The spleen
stores and filters blood and makes white blood cells that
protect the body from infections. The spleen is the largest
lymphatic organ within the body. It is surrounded by a
connective tissue capsule which extends inward to divide the
organ into lobules. The spleen consists of two types of tissue
called the white and red pulp (13). As part of the immune
system, the white pulp produces white blood cells. The blood
cells make antibodies that fight infection. The red pulp acts as
a filter, it removes the waste and destroys bacteria.
Thymus gland The thymus gland is located behind the sternum, between the
lungs and is only active until puberty. After puberty, the
thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat. It
is bilobed and has two subcomponents; the cortex and the
medulla: it is made up of epithelial, dendritic, mesenchymal
and endothelial cells (14). It plays a key role in immunity by
producing white blood cells/ T cells. It also contributes to the
(3) production of hormones such as insulin. The thymus is an
essential part of the immune system, without it normal
functions may be disrupted. The thymus is responsible for
producing and maturing lymphocytes, or immune cells (15).
Tonsil The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system, which
(4) contributes to fighting infections. Each tonsil is composed of
tissue covered by pink mucosa. Running through the mucosa
of each tonsil are pits, called crypts. The tonsils also help filter
out germs that enter through the nose or mouth to protect
the rest of the body from infection (16). However, tonsils do
vary widely in size and swell in response to infection.
Lymph Each lymph node is divided into two general regions, the
glands/nodes cortex and the capsule. The capsule is an outer layer of
connective tissue. Underlying the capsule is the cortex, a
region containing mostly inactivated B and T lymphocytes, as
well as numerous cells such as macrophages. Lymph nodes
are small, bean-shaped organs that filter substances within
the body. Lymph nodes remove cell waste and fluids from
lymph and store lymphocytes. Lymph nodes are part of the
(5) lymphatic system and are located throughout the body,
mainly in the neck, armpits, abdomen and groin (17).
, Eshal Khan
Unit 8- Aim B
Lymph vessels Lymphatic vessels are the network of capillaries and a large
network of tubes located throughout the body. They are thin
walled, valved structures that carry lymph. Its functions
include providing sites from certain immune system functions
and facilitating plasma circulation in the cardiovascular
system. The lymphatic system is composed of many different
types of lymph vessels over a wide distribution throughout
the body. Lymphatic capillaries are the sites of lymph fluid
collection, and are distributed throughout most tissues of the
(6)
body, particularly the connective tissue (18). Afferent
lymphatic vessels drain fluid from the tissues and carry
antigen-bearing cells and antigens from infected tissues to the
lymph nodes, where they are trapped (31).
Axillary node (7) The axillary lymph nodes are in the axillary pad of fat and fall
into five groups. Anterior lymph nodes are along the inferior
border of the pectoralis minor, beside the lateral thoracic
vessels (19). They carry lymph from tissues and organs to
lymph nodes. The lymph nodes under the arms/armpits are
known as axially lymph nodes.
Abdominal The abdominal lymph nodes are scavengers that help get rid
node of infections or inflammations within the abdomen. They also
help in draining inflammatory debris away from the abdomen
to systemic blood circulation. They can temporarily enlarge
and cause abdominal symptoms (20). The retroperitoneal, or
lumbar lymph nodes are commonly located around the
abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava, forming the left and
right lumbar and intermediate lymph node (21).
(8)
Inguinal node The inguinal lymph node resides within the femoral triangle.
The femoral triangle is bounded by the inguinal ligament,
adductor longus muscle, and Sartorius muscle. The fascia Lata
forms the root of the femoral triangle. Normal inguinal lymph
nodes are small, oval shaped glands (22). The inguinal lymph
nodes help the body to fight off infection. As lymph fluid
passes through these lymph nodes, immune cells within each
node filter out bacteria, viruses and other harmful materials.
The inguinal lymph nodes fir as a major drainage pathway for
(9)
the legs, genitals and pelvic region (23).
Unit 8- Aim B
The Lymphatic system
In this assignment I will
be looking at the gross
anatomy and the
function of the organs of
the lymphatic system. As
well as describing the
effect of disorder on the
lymphatic system and
evaluating possible
corrective treatments.
The lymphatic system is
a network of tissues,
vessels and organs that
work together to move a
watery liquid, called
lymph, back into the
bloodstream. The five
largest organs in the
system include the bone
marrow, spleen, thymus,
lymph nodes and
lymphatic vessels. Within
the adult body there are
around 800 nodes
around the neck, axilla,
thorax, abdomen and groin. The main functions of the lymphatic system include maintaining
fluid levels within the body, absorbing fats from the digestive tract, protecting the body
against foreign invaders (such as bacteria, parasites or fungi), and to transport and remove
waste products and abnormal cells from the lymph (1). Lymph contains peripheral self-
antigens released from tissue homeostatic turnover and metabolism, as well as from foreign
antigens (30).
Name Of Diagram Structure And Function
Organ
, Eshal Khan
Unit 8- Aim B
Spleen (2) The spleen is in the upper left region of the ribcage. It helps
protect the body by disposing of worn-out red blood cells and
other foreign bodies from the bloodstream (12). The spleen
stores and filters blood and makes white blood cells that
protect the body from infections. The spleen is the largest
lymphatic organ within the body. It is surrounded by a
connective tissue capsule which extends inward to divide the
organ into lobules. The spleen consists of two types of tissue
called the white and red pulp (13). As part of the immune
system, the white pulp produces white blood cells. The blood
cells make antibodies that fight infection. The red pulp acts as
a filter, it removes the waste and destroys bacteria.
Thymus gland The thymus gland is located behind the sternum, between the
lungs and is only active until puberty. After puberty, the
thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat. It
is bilobed and has two subcomponents; the cortex and the
medulla: it is made up of epithelial, dendritic, mesenchymal
and endothelial cells (14). It plays a key role in immunity by
producing white blood cells/ T cells. It also contributes to the
(3) production of hormones such as insulin. The thymus is an
essential part of the immune system, without it normal
functions may be disrupted. The thymus is responsible for
producing and maturing lymphocytes, or immune cells (15).
Tonsil The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system, which
(4) contributes to fighting infections. Each tonsil is composed of
tissue covered by pink mucosa. Running through the mucosa
of each tonsil are pits, called crypts. The tonsils also help filter
out germs that enter through the nose or mouth to protect
the rest of the body from infection (16). However, tonsils do
vary widely in size and swell in response to infection.
Lymph Each lymph node is divided into two general regions, the
glands/nodes cortex and the capsule. The capsule is an outer layer of
connective tissue. Underlying the capsule is the cortex, a
region containing mostly inactivated B and T lymphocytes, as
well as numerous cells such as macrophages. Lymph nodes
are small, bean-shaped organs that filter substances within
the body. Lymph nodes remove cell waste and fluids from
lymph and store lymphocytes. Lymph nodes are part of the
(5) lymphatic system and are located throughout the body,
mainly in the neck, armpits, abdomen and groin (17).
, Eshal Khan
Unit 8- Aim B
Lymph vessels Lymphatic vessels are the network of capillaries and a large
network of tubes located throughout the body. They are thin
walled, valved structures that carry lymph. Its functions
include providing sites from certain immune system functions
and facilitating plasma circulation in the cardiovascular
system. The lymphatic system is composed of many different
types of lymph vessels over a wide distribution throughout
the body. Lymphatic capillaries are the sites of lymph fluid
collection, and are distributed throughout most tissues of the
(6)
body, particularly the connective tissue (18). Afferent
lymphatic vessels drain fluid from the tissues and carry
antigen-bearing cells and antigens from infected tissues to the
lymph nodes, where they are trapped (31).
Axillary node (7) The axillary lymph nodes are in the axillary pad of fat and fall
into five groups. Anterior lymph nodes are along the inferior
border of the pectoralis minor, beside the lateral thoracic
vessels (19). They carry lymph from tissues and organs to
lymph nodes. The lymph nodes under the arms/armpits are
known as axially lymph nodes.
Abdominal The abdominal lymph nodes are scavengers that help get rid
node of infections or inflammations within the abdomen. They also
help in draining inflammatory debris away from the abdomen
to systemic blood circulation. They can temporarily enlarge
and cause abdominal symptoms (20). The retroperitoneal, or
lumbar lymph nodes are commonly located around the
abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava, forming the left and
right lumbar and intermediate lymph node (21).
(8)
Inguinal node The inguinal lymph node resides within the femoral triangle.
The femoral triangle is bounded by the inguinal ligament,
adductor longus muscle, and Sartorius muscle. The fascia Lata
forms the root of the femoral triangle. Normal inguinal lymph
nodes are small, oval shaped glands (22). The inguinal lymph
nodes help the body to fight off infection. As lymph fluid
passes through these lymph nodes, immune cells within each
node filter out bacteria, viruses and other harmful materials.
The inguinal lymph nodes fir as a major drainage pathway for
(9)
the legs, genitals and pelvic region (23).
