ANTOMY AND
PYSIOLOGY STUDY
GUIDES FOR HUMAN
ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY
DOCMAU@GMAIL.COM
,STUDY GUIDES FOR HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Special Senses Anatomy and Physiology
-Special senses are more specialized in structure and are bounded and confined to specific parts
of the body. The special senses are smell, taste, sight, hearing, and balance.
Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system includes lymph, lymphocytes, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, tonsils, the
spleen, and the thymus gland.
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It also maintains fluid balance and plays a
role in absorbing fats and fat-soluble nutrients.
The lymphatic or lymph system involves an extensive network of vessels that passes through
almost all our tissues to allow for the movement of a fluid called lymph. Lymph circulates
through the body in a similar way to blood.
There are about 600 lymph nodes in the body. These nodes swell in response to infection, due
to a build-up of lymph fluid, bacteria, or other organisms and immune system cells.
A person with a throat infection, for example, may feel that their “glands” are swollen. Swollen
glands can be felt especially under the jaw, in the armpits, or in the groin area. These are, in
fact, not glands but lymph nodes.
They should see a doctor if swelling does not go away, if nodes are hard or rubbery and difficult
to move, if there is a fever, unexplained weight-loss, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
The lymphatic system has three main functions:
It maintains the balance of fluid between the blood and tissues, known as fluid homeostasis.
It forms part of the body’s immune system and helps defend against bacteria and other
intruders.
It facilitates absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients in the digestive system.
The system has special small vessels called lacteals. These enable it to absorb fats and fat
soluble nutrients from the gut.
They work with the blood capillaries in the folded surface membrane of the small intestine. The
blood capillaries absorb other nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
, What does the lymphatic system do?
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It also maintains fluid balance and plays a
role in absorbing fats and fat-soluble nutrients.
The lymphatic or lymph system involves an extensive network of vessels that passes through
almost all our tissues to allow for the movement of a fluid called lymph. Lymph circulates
through the body in a similar way to blood.
There are about 600 lymph nodes in the body. These nodes swell in response to infection, due
to a build-up of lymph fluid, bacteria, or other organisms and immune system cells.
A person with a throat infection, for example, may feel that their “glands” are swollen. Swollen
glands can be felt especially under the jaw, in the armpits, or in the groin area. These are, in
fact, not glands but lymph nodes.
They should see a doctor if swelling does not go away, if nodes are hard or rubbery and difficult
to move, if there is a fever, unexplained weight-loss, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Fast facts about the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system plays a key role in the immune system, fluid balance, and absorption of
fats and fat-soluble nutrients.
As lymph vessels drain fluid from body tissues, this enables foreign material to be delivered to
the lymph nodes for assessment by immune system cells.
The lymph nodes swell in response to infection, due to a build-up of lymph fluid, bacteria, or
other organisms and immune system cells.
Lymph nodes can also become infected, in a condition known as lymphadenitis.
If lymph nodes remain swollen, if they are hard and rubbery, and if there are other symptoms,
you should see a doctor.
Definition
Lymph nodes, or “glands” may swell as the body responds to a threat.
The lymphatic system has three main functions:
It maintains the balance of fluid between the blood and tissues, known as fluid homeostasis.
It forms part of the body’s immune system and helps defend against bacteria and other
intruders.
It facilitates absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients in the digestive system.
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