Lymphatic System

Lymphatic System

Provides an important immune mechanism for the body.
Is involved in the metastasis of cancer cells.
Provides a route for transporting fat and large protein molecules absorbed from the intestine to the thoracic duct.

Lymphatic vessels

Serve as one-way drainage toward the heart and return lymph to the bloodstream through the thoracic duct (the largest lymphatic vessel) or the right lymphatic duct
Are not generally visible in dissections but are the major route by which carcinoma metastasizes.
Function to absorb large protein molecules and transport them to the bloodstream because the molecules cannot pass through the walls of the blood capillaries back into the blood.
Carry lymphocytes from lymphatic tissues to the bloodstream.
Have valves, which are constricted at the sites of valves, showing a beaded appearance.
Are absent in the brain, spinal cord, eyeballs, bone marrow, splenic pulp, hyaline cartilage, nails, and hair.

Lymphatic capillaries

Begin blindly in most tissues, collect tissue fluid, and join to form large collecting vessels that pass to regional lymph nodes.
Absorb lymph from tissue spaces and transport it back to the venous system.
Are called lacteals in the villi of the small intestine, where they absorb emulsified fat.

Lymph nodes

Are organized collections of lymphatic tissue permeated by lymph channels.
Produce lymphocytes and plasma cells and filter the lymph.
Trap bacteria drained from an infected area and contain reticuloendothelial cells and phagocytic cells (macrophages) that ingest these bacteria.
Are hard and often palpable when there is a metastasis and are enlarged and tender during infection.

Lymph

Is a clear, watery fluid that is collected from the intercellular spaces.
Contains no cells until lymphocytes are added in its passage through the lymph nodes. Its constituents are similar to those of blood plasma (e.g., proteins, fats,lymphocytes).
Often contains fat droplets (called chyle ) when it comes from intestinal organs.
Is filtered by passing through several lymph nodes before entering the venous system.

AndyC	Latest page update: made by AndyC , Jun 28 2010, 9:09 AM EDT (about this update About This Update Edited by AndyC view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: gross anatomy lymphatic system More Info: links to this page

There are no threads for this page. Be the first to start a new thread.

Upper Limb - Wrist/Hand	Gastrointestinal (GI) Viscera	Other peritoneal ligaments
Peritoneal Cavity	Mesenteries	Peritoneum and Peritoneal Cavity
Blood Vessels of the Anterior Abdominal Wall	Lymphatic Drainage of the Anterior Abdominal Wall	Nerves of the Anterior Abdominal Wall
Inner Surface of the Anterior Abdominal Wall