Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems.
Understand the impact of disorder on the physiology of the lymphatic system
and the associated corrective treatments.
Iesa Majeed
March 2021
Introduction
In this assignment I intend to go into detail explaining the lymphatic system, it is
various components and their functions. I will also discuss how they affect the
human body, how they can be damaged and the symptoms this can cause. In
addition, I will discuss and describe Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a disease of the
lymphatic systems. I will describe its aetiology and manifestation. I will also describe
the natural progression of the disease and the treatments offered. Finally, I will
discuss a case study, here I will evaluate the possible treatments and their pros and
cons.
The lymphatic system
Structure: Diagram of lymphatic system and organs.
,Lymph is a colourless, watery, bodily fluid carried by the lymphatic system,
consisting mainly of white blood cells. The lymph is formed when the blood plasma
excretes out of the capillaries through capillary filtration. Lymph is a fluid that
surrounds all body tissues. Extra fluid from tissue in the body drains into and flows
through small lymph vessels.
The lymphatic system helps protect us from infection and disease. The lymphatic
system is a network of low-pressure vessels, tissues, and organs in vertebrate
animals that helps the body regulate fluid balance and fight infection. The lymphatic
systems consist of vessels that transport the lymph fluid. Various structures and
organs which contain specialized lymphatic tissue. Lymphatic organs such as the
lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus contain lymphatic tissue enclosed by a capsule.
Lymphatic Nodules, however, are not enclosed by a capsule. They are oval and
contain lymphatic tissue. In the central region are large lymphocytes and around the
periphery are smaller lymphocytes. These are found in special areas of the
gastrointestinal tract, such as tonsils, peyers patch in the ileum wall and the
appendix wall. Lymphocytes are specialised white blood cells; they are B cells which
produce antibodies, T cells which attack and kill infected and cancerous cells and
Natural killer (NK) cells. Natural killer cells function similarly to cytotoxic T cells, but
they are not T cells. NK cells play a major role in the host-rejection of both tumours
and virally infected cells.
There is also diffuse lymphatic tissue in the mucous membranes. These line the
body cavities that open to the exterior, they consist of a layer of epithelial cells under
, connective tissue. The cells secrete mucus that prevents the membranes from drying
out. These membranes are found in the walls of the GI tract, airways, urinary and
reproductive tracts. There are also small amounts in all organs.
Lymphocytes are also produced in the bone marrow.
Lymphatic Organs
Lymph Nodes:
At various points along lymph vessels join with a knot of tissue called a lymph node,
also called a lymph gland. These nodes tend to be found around major arteries and
are palpable. They occur in the neck, armpits (axillary nodes) and groin (inguinal
nodes). They can also be found behind the knees (popliteal nodes), above the elbow
and the inner side of the upper arm (supratrochlear nodes).
The human body also has a ring of lymph tissue around the oesophagus, which is
the airways in the throat region. These are the tonsils and adenoids.
In the lymph nodes, bacteria, cancer cells and other foreign particles are filtered out
and ingested by macrophages. Macrophages are large white blood cells found in the
liver, spleen, and connective tissues. As the fluids leaves the nodes it picks up
lymphocytes and some antibodies.
Understand the impact of disorder on the physiology of the lymphatic system
and the associated corrective treatments.
Iesa Majeed
March 2021
Introduction
In this assignment I intend to go into detail explaining the lymphatic system, it is
various components and their functions. I will also discuss how they affect the
human body, how they can be damaged and the symptoms this can cause. In
addition, I will discuss and describe Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a disease of the
lymphatic systems. I will describe its aetiology and manifestation. I will also describe
the natural progression of the disease and the treatments offered. Finally, I will
discuss a case study, here I will evaluate the possible treatments and their pros and
cons.
The lymphatic system
Structure: Diagram of lymphatic system and organs.
,Lymph is a colourless, watery, bodily fluid carried by the lymphatic system,
consisting mainly of white blood cells. The lymph is formed when the blood plasma
excretes out of the capillaries through capillary filtration. Lymph is a fluid that
surrounds all body tissues. Extra fluid from tissue in the body drains into and flows
through small lymph vessels.
The lymphatic system helps protect us from infection and disease. The lymphatic
system is a network of low-pressure vessels, tissues, and organs in vertebrate
animals that helps the body regulate fluid balance and fight infection. The lymphatic
systems consist of vessels that transport the lymph fluid. Various structures and
organs which contain specialized lymphatic tissue. Lymphatic organs such as the
lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus contain lymphatic tissue enclosed by a capsule.
Lymphatic Nodules, however, are not enclosed by a capsule. They are oval and
contain lymphatic tissue. In the central region are large lymphocytes and around the
periphery are smaller lymphocytes. These are found in special areas of the
gastrointestinal tract, such as tonsils, peyers patch in the ileum wall and the
appendix wall. Lymphocytes are specialised white blood cells; they are B cells which
produce antibodies, T cells which attack and kill infected and cancerous cells and
Natural killer (NK) cells. Natural killer cells function similarly to cytotoxic T cells, but
they are not T cells. NK cells play a major role in the host-rejection of both tumours
and virally infected cells.
There is also diffuse lymphatic tissue in the mucous membranes. These line the
body cavities that open to the exterior, they consist of a layer of epithelial cells under
, connective tissue. The cells secrete mucus that prevents the membranes from drying
out. These membranes are found in the walls of the GI tract, airways, urinary and
reproductive tracts. There are also small amounts in all organs.
Lymphocytes are also produced in the bone marrow.
Lymphatic Organs
Lymph Nodes:
At various points along lymph vessels join with a knot of tissue called a lymph node,
also called a lymph gland. These nodes tend to be found around major arteries and
are palpable. They occur in the neck, armpits (axillary nodes) and groin (inguinal
nodes). They can also be found behind the knees (popliteal nodes), above the elbow
and the inner side of the upper arm (supratrochlear nodes).
The human body also has a ring of lymph tissue around the oesophagus, which is
the airways in the throat region. These are the tonsils and adenoids.
In the lymph nodes, bacteria, cancer cells and other foreign particles are filtered out
and ingested by macrophages. Macrophages are large white blood cells found in the
liver, spleen, and connective tissues. As the fluids leaves the nodes it picks up
lymphocytes and some antibodies.
