Anatomy of the Lymphatic system
1. The lymphatic system is closely connected with what other body system?
Circulatory system
2. What are lymphatic vessels?
Lymphatic vessels extend throughout most of the body. They are one-way flow valves similar to
large veins in the CV system.
3. What are three functions of the lymphatic system?
Take up excess tissue fluid from cardiovascular capillaries and return it to the blood stream.
Absorb fats and transport them to the bloodstream. Help with immunity to defend the body.
4. What is lymph?
Lymph is the fluid of the lymphatic system. It contains white blood cells, fats, water, proteins,
salts, and more. It drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.
5. Describe the flow of lymph.
Lymph flows one way through lymphatic capillaries to larger lymphatic vessels and finally to the
venous circulation of the CV system.
6. True or false: Lymph vessels are only found in the lower extremities.
False.
7. Describe the structure of lymph vessels.
Lymph vessels contain valves which are dependent upon squeezing action of skeletal muscles,
squeezing the fluid one way through lymphatic vessels.
8. Label the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct.
Anatomy of the Lymphatic system
9. The right lymphatic duct drains into the right subclavian vein.
10. True or false: The thoracic duct drains fluid from the right arm. False, left arm.
11. Describe the structure of a lymph node. A lymph node is encapsulated in a fibrous
connective tissue with many incoming and fewer outgoing lymphatic vessels. Incoming vessels
flow through a network of sinuses that contain cells. The lymph then flows out of the lymph node
through the efferent vessel. The interior of the lymph node can be divided into open spaces
This study source was downloaded by 1143875 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-10-2025 19:17:55 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/22572961
, called nodules, containing lymphocytes and macrophages. The lymph node is a filtering center,
ridding the flowing lymph of infectious organisms and other debris as it passes through aries of
sinuses.
12. What is the axilla region?
Armpit.
13. The spleen is in what region of the body?
Upper left abdomen.
14. What is the function of the spleen?
The spleen extracts old or defective blood cells and platelets. It also removes debris,
foreign matter, bacteria, viruses, and toxins from the blood that flows through it. The spleen is
encapsulated in a thin, fragile, fibrous tissue with an incoming splenic artery and outgoing
splenic vein. The interior of the spleen is vided into open spaces called lobules, containing
lymphocytes and macrophages that carry out the functions of the spleen.
15. After blood exits the spleen via the splenic vein, where does it travel?
From the splenic vein it flows through the hepatic portal vein, then to the liver to be
detoxified before being returned to the heart and general circulation.
16. Label the splenic artery, vein and hepatic portal vein.
OK
17. Locate the thymus and describe its function.
The thymus is located on the anterior surface of the heart. It secretes thymosin and
thymopoietin hormones, which enable T cells to mature and function as part of the immune
system.
18. Locate the tonsils and describe their function.
The tonsils gather and destroy bacteria inhaled or consumed with food.
Physiology of the Lymphatic system and Immunology
19. What is the purpose of the nonspecific immune system?
The nonspecific immune system serves as the first line of defense through physical and
chemical barriers to prevent pathogens from entering the body.
20. What is the purpose of the specific immune system?
This study source was downloaded by 1143875 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-10-2025 19:17:55 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/22572961
1. The lymphatic system is closely connected with what other body system?
Circulatory system
2. What are lymphatic vessels?
Lymphatic vessels extend throughout most of the body. They are one-way flow valves similar to
large veins in the CV system.
3. What are three functions of the lymphatic system?
Take up excess tissue fluid from cardiovascular capillaries and return it to the blood stream.
Absorb fats and transport them to the bloodstream. Help with immunity to defend the body.
4. What is lymph?
Lymph is the fluid of the lymphatic system. It contains white blood cells, fats, water, proteins,
salts, and more. It drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.
5. Describe the flow of lymph.
Lymph flows one way through lymphatic capillaries to larger lymphatic vessels and finally to the
venous circulation of the CV system.
6. True or false: Lymph vessels are only found in the lower extremities.
False.
7. Describe the structure of lymph vessels.
Lymph vessels contain valves which are dependent upon squeezing action of skeletal muscles,
squeezing the fluid one way through lymphatic vessels.
8. Label the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct.
Anatomy of the Lymphatic system
9. The right lymphatic duct drains into the right subclavian vein.
10. True or false: The thoracic duct drains fluid from the right arm. False, left arm.
11. Describe the structure of a lymph node. A lymph node is encapsulated in a fibrous
connective tissue with many incoming and fewer outgoing lymphatic vessels. Incoming vessels
flow through a network of sinuses that contain cells. The lymph then flows out of the lymph node
through the efferent vessel. The interior of the lymph node can be divided into open spaces
This study source was downloaded by 1143875 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-10-2025 19:17:55 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/22572961
, called nodules, containing lymphocytes and macrophages. The lymph node is a filtering center,
ridding the flowing lymph of infectious organisms and other debris as it passes through aries of
sinuses.
12. What is the axilla region?
Armpit.
13. The spleen is in what region of the body?
Upper left abdomen.
14. What is the function of the spleen?
The spleen extracts old or defective blood cells and platelets. It also removes debris,
foreign matter, bacteria, viruses, and toxins from the blood that flows through it. The spleen is
encapsulated in a thin, fragile, fibrous tissue with an incoming splenic artery and outgoing
splenic vein. The interior of the spleen is vided into open spaces called lobules, containing
lymphocytes and macrophages that carry out the functions of the spleen.
15. After blood exits the spleen via the splenic vein, where does it travel?
From the splenic vein it flows through the hepatic portal vein, then to the liver to be
detoxified before being returned to the heart and general circulation.
16. Label the splenic artery, vein and hepatic portal vein.
OK
17. Locate the thymus and describe its function.
The thymus is located on the anterior surface of the heart. It secretes thymosin and
thymopoietin hormones, which enable T cells to mature and function as part of the immune
system.
18. Locate the tonsils and describe their function.
The tonsils gather and destroy bacteria inhaled or consumed with food.
Physiology of the Lymphatic system and Immunology
19. What is the purpose of the nonspecific immune system?
The nonspecific immune system serves as the first line of defense through physical and
chemical barriers to prevent pathogens from entering the body.
20. What is the purpose of the specific immune system?
This study source was downloaded by 1143875 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-10-2025 19:17:55 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/22572961
