The Lymphatic System

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The Lymphatic System

• The Overlooked Circuit

By Alyssa, Katelyn, Kayla, Sam
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What is the Lymphatic System?

• A complex system within the body that has several
  functions.
• Circulates a colourless liquid known as lymph
• Involves several lymphoid organs, nodes, ducts,
  tissues, capillaries and vessels

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Lymph

• Colourless liquid that flows throughout the
  system
• Contains lots of white blood cells (lymphocytes)
• Drained from tissue in vessels called lymph
  capillaries
• From capillaries lymph drains into ducts
  (thoracic and the right lymphatic duct)

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• Lymph moves through the system similarly to the
  way blood circulates but without the help of a
  pump
• Upper part of body lymph flows by gravity
• Lower regions moves through muscle contractions

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Lymph Vessels and Capillaries

• Lymph Vessels are similar to veins but with
  thinner walls
• They have semi-lunar valves
• Blood capillaries and Lymph capillaries are
  interwoven
• Lymph Capillaries are smaller
• Lymph Vessels are not under pressure and do not
  use a pump to operate

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Lymphoid Organs

• The four major organs
• Spleen
• Thymus
• Tonsils
• Adenoids

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Spleen

• Largest lymph organ
• Located in the upper left abdomen under the rib
  cage
• Produces lymphocytes, which destruct and recycle
  old red-blood cells
• Size of the heart, holding 1 litre of blood
• Clears out worn blood cells

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Thymus

• Large in children, small in adults
• Located in between the two lungs.
• Soft organ with two lobes
• Processes and matures
• t-cells
• Makes thymosin, a hormone
• Once the lymphocytes have matured, they enter the
  blood and they travel to other lymphatic organs

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Tonsils

• Clusters of lymphatic tissue lining throat,
  mouth and nose
• 3 groups
• 1)Pharyngeal
• 2)Palatine
• 3)Lingual
• Protects against harmful substances via mouth or
  nose

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Adenoids

• Lumpy clusters of spongy tissue
• Located high on each side of the throat behind
  nose and roof of mouth
• Maintain health of body by trapping harmful
  bacteria and viruses
• Contain cells that produce antibodies/ fight
  infections
• Shrink with age

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Lymph Nodes

• Bean shaped (range from 3 mm 2cm)
• Located along lymphatic vessels, in clusters
• Consist of a network of fibres
• Act as filters, removing and destroying bacteria,
  toxins and dead cells
• Abundant in armpits, groin, neck, abdomen, pelvis
  and chest

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Functions

• Defends against diseases
• Filters lymph
• Drains fluid into the bloodstream from tissues
• Absorbs lipids from intestines and transports
  them to blood to preserve fluid balance

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Infections and Diseases

• Lymphomas
• Hodgkin's Disease
• Burkitt's Lymphoma
• Tonsillitis
• Elephantiasis
• Lyphangiosarcoma

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Lymphomas

• Cancerous tumours of lymph nodes
• Caused by viral infections
• Signs large but painless nodes
• Curable

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Hodgkins Disease

• Type of lymphoma
• Caused by the spreading of germs and eating the
  wrong foods
• Symptoms similar to flu, fevers, aches, or
  swollen glands
• Most common in ages 15- 35, 50, in males
• Hodgkin's can lead to paralysis

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Burkitts Lymphoma

• Malignant tumour of the lymphatic system
• Commonly seen in African children
• Usually found in stomach, mouth and jaw
• Tumours can double in size in only 5 days
• Chemotherapy and strong medications are used to
  treat Burkitts Lymphoma

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Tonsillitis

• Inflammation of glands in the throat
• Tonsillitis often goes away on its own after 4 to
  10 days
• Most often, tonsillitis is caused by a virus
• Symptoms are a sore throat, and fever.
• Throat and tonsils usually look red and swollen

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Elephantiasis

• Effects limbs, breast and scrotum
• Caused by parasitic filarial worms, blocking the
  lymphatic system
• Build up of lymph living for an average of seven
  years, but in one case living forty years.
• One of the worst lymphatic obstructions
• Mosquitoes lay larvae into the lymphatic system
• The worm can reach a length of 1-4 inches

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Bibliography

• 1) Clayman, Charles. The Human Body. Toronto
  Stoddart Publishing Co limited, 1995
• Helpful when it came to researching
• Interesting Info
• Good Diagrams
• Lymphatic System. Encyclopedia of Life Science.
  Volume 7 1996
• Short, to the point
• Easy to interpret
• Well organized

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• 3) The Lymphatic System. 14 November 2007.
  http//www.cancerhelp.org.uk
• Up to date
• Useful Information
• Easy to navigate.
• 4) Lymphatic System. 15 November 2007.
  http//www.lymphomation.org/
• Lots of good information
• Good Diagrams
• Easy to Understand