Signature & Date:
* Please note that grade decisions are
provisional. They are only confirmed once internal and external moderation has taken
place and grades decisions have been agreed at the assessment board.
Lymphatic System
Introduction
As part of my work placement, in partnership with Cancer Focus, I will be gaining first-hand
experience of medical research into the role and function of the lymphatic system and
disorders and associated treatments. Following this, I will be able to outline the pros and
cons of different treatment systems to do with the lymphatic system.
Case study: In August 2015, a 27-year-old woman in otherwise good health visits the general
practitioner's office due to flu-like symptoms, including swelling in the left supraclavicular
region of the neck. She had no significant other illnesses listed, and her recent and historical
medical histories were both satisfactory. Her family had no notable history.
The patient did not report experiencing any general signs and symptoms such as fever,
weight loss, or night sweats. The physical examination verified the existence of hard-
textured, fixed lymph nodes measuring 2.4 cm in size in the left latero-cervical and
supraclavicular regions.
There are two main components of the lymph system, and each has a crucial job within the
body. A system of lymphatic vessels that collect and transport tissue fluid back to the blood
stream is one of the roles, and the other consists of tissues and lymphoid organs that
contain phagocytes and lymphocytes (Canvas, Class Notes, 2023). A hand drawn diagram of
the lymphatic system can be seen below.
,Lymph
Lymph is made up of blood plasma containing proteins, salts, water, leukocytes, fats, and
bacteria (Canvas, Class Notes, 2023). It is a transparent to white fluid, which is composed of
white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, which are the cells that fight germs in bodily
tissues and blood, and also has chyle which is an intestinal fluid that contains lipids and
proteins (MedlinePlus, 2022).
Lymph vessels
Every region of the body has lymph vessels, with the exception of the central nervous
system, bone, teeth, and cartilage. There is no pump connected to lymph vessels (no organ
like the heart that acts as a pump and produces a force to propel the passage of lymph
fluid). The skeletal muscles that surround the veins aid in the fluid’s motion, and semi-lunar
valves stop backflow (fluid flowing the wrong way). Lymph vessels form a one-way system,
with the lymph fluid inside them flossing towards the heart. A lymph vessel may be an
artery, vein, or trunks, ducts.
Larger channels within the lymph vessels are created when capillaries combine known as
lymphatic trunks which resemble veins but have thinner walls and more semi-lunar valves.
The thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct are formed when lymph vessels combine the
lymph fluid from these two ducts flow into the blood vessels in the neck region (Canvas,
Class Notes, 2023).
Lymph Capillaries
Lymph capillaries are the smallest type of lymph vessels within the lymphatic system. It
consists of vascular structures with thin walls and blind ends that run alongside blood
, arteries, collecting tissue fluid that has been pushed out of blood capillaries but has not
been reinfused into them, known as drainage vessels (Canvas, Class Notes, 2023).
(Canvas, Class Notes, 2023).
Lymph Capillaries - Structure
Endothelial cells form a single layer that overlaps to form their permeable walls. The
endothelial cells of the lymph capillary wall are gently forced apart when tissues swell with
fluid, which allows fluid between cells to enter the lymph capillaries. Fine filaments can bind
to these endothelial cells to the structures around them. Additionally, when the lymph
capillaries are filled with fluid, the pressure on the endothelial cells closes the openings and
prevents leakage. This is why it is said the endothelial cells function like one-way swing
doors.
Lacteals within the villi of the ileum are specialist lymph capillaries containing the fluid
known as chyle (pronounced kyal) which is milky white as it contains absorbed lipids
(Canvas, Class Notes, 2023).
* Please note that grade decisions are
provisional. They are only confirmed once internal and external moderation has taken
place and grades decisions have been agreed at the assessment board.
Lymphatic System
Introduction
As part of my work placement, in partnership with Cancer Focus, I will be gaining first-hand
experience of medical research into the role and function of the lymphatic system and
disorders and associated treatments. Following this, I will be able to outline the pros and
cons of different treatment systems to do with the lymphatic system.
Case study: In August 2015, a 27-year-old woman in otherwise good health visits the general
practitioner's office due to flu-like symptoms, including swelling in the left supraclavicular
region of the neck. She had no significant other illnesses listed, and her recent and historical
medical histories were both satisfactory. Her family had no notable history.
The patient did not report experiencing any general signs and symptoms such as fever,
weight loss, or night sweats. The physical examination verified the existence of hard-
textured, fixed lymph nodes measuring 2.4 cm in size in the left latero-cervical and
supraclavicular regions.
There are two main components of the lymph system, and each has a crucial job within the
body. A system of lymphatic vessels that collect and transport tissue fluid back to the blood
stream is one of the roles, and the other consists of tissues and lymphoid organs that
contain phagocytes and lymphocytes (Canvas, Class Notes, 2023). A hand drawn diagram of
the lymphatic system can be seen below.
,Lymph
Lymph is made up of blood plasma containing proteins, salts, water, leukocytes, fats, and
bacteria (Canvas, Class Notes, 2023). It is a transparent to white fluid, which is composed of
white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, which are the cells that fight germs in bodily
tissues and blood, and also has chyle which is an intestinal fluid that contains lipids and
proteins (MedlinePlus, 2022).
Lymph vessels
Every region of the body has lymph vessels, with the exception of the central nervous
system, bone, teeth, and cartilage. There is no pump connected to lymph vessels (no organ
like the heart that acts as a pump and produces a force to propel the passage of lymph
fluid). The skeletal muscles that surround the veins aid in the fluid’s motion, and semi-lunar
valves stop backflow (fluid flowing the wrong way). Lymph vessels form a one-way system,
with the lymph fluid inside them flossing towards the heart. A lymph vessel may be an
artery, vein, or trunks, ducts.
Larger channels within the lymph vessels are created when capillaries combine known as
lymphatic trunks which resemble veins but have thinner walls and more semi-lunar valves.
The thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct are formed when lymph vessels combine the
lymph fluid from these two ducts flow into the blood vessels in the neck region (Canvas,
Class Notes, 2023).
Lymph Capillaries
Lymph capillaries are the smallest type of lymph vessels within the lymphatic system. It
consists of vascular structures with thin walls and blind ends that run alongside blood
, arteries, collecting tissue fluid that has been pushed out of blood capillaries but has not
been reinfused into them, known as drainage vessels (Canvas, Class Notes, 2023).
(Canvas, Class Notes, 2023).
Lymph Capillaries - Structure
Endothelial cells form a single layer that overlaps to form their permeable walls. The
endothelial cells of the lymph capillary wall are gently forced apart when tissues swell with
fluid, which allows fluid between cells to enter the lymph capillaries. Fine filaments can bind
to these endothelial cells to the structures around them. Additionally, when the lymph
capillaries are filled with fluid, the pressure on the endothelial cells closes the openings and
prevents leakage. This is why it is said the endothelial cells function like one-way swing
doors.
Lacteals within the villi of the ileum are specialist lymph capillaries containing the fluid
known as chyle (pronounced kyal) which is milky white as it contains absorbed lipids
(Canvas, Class Notes, 2023).
