Summary
Summary The three main functions of the lymphatic system
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- PEARSON (PEARSON)
describes the defensive role of the lymphatic system as well as the maintenance of hydro static pressure and the absorption of fats
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Lymph Nodes = lymph nodes are located all around the body, for example, the neck andarmpit (axillary), groin (inguinal), behind the knee (popliteal), inside the elbow
(supratrochlear) and abdominal nodes. They are bean-shaped tissue surrounded in a fibrous
capsule, unlike lymphatic nodules. The capsule extends into compartments that contain B
and T cells as well as macrophages. They are attached to your lymphatic vessels where
lymphatic fluid flows through and is filtered before it goes back into the blood. It filters out
bacteria, dead cells, cancer cells and cellular waste products. These help the protective and
defensive role of the lymphatic system.
Lymph vessels = The lymphatic system is composed of many tubes (lymph vessels) which
are located all around the body and they transport a substance called lymph. The lymphatic
system is different from other systems in that it does not contain a pump like the circulatory
system. Lymphatic vessels pass through muscle tissue as it relies solely on processes like
breathing and skeletal muscle contractions for the lymph to move. It also has valves which
are similar to what circulatory veins have that prevent backflow of lymph. All lymph vessels
are essential to the overall function of the lymphatic system. The vessels carry chyle which is
essential for fat digestion, it carries white blood cells which are essential for the protective
and defensive role and it carries lymph to ducts to be emptied into blood to maintain
hydrostatic pressure.
Lymphatic ducts and the cisterna chyli= lymphatic ducts like the thoracic duct and the right
lymphatic duct help to drain lymph fluid back into the blood. The thoracic duct carries chyle,
a liquid containing both lymph and emulsified fats from digestion. The cisterna chyli is a sac
found at the lower end of the thoracic duct and it receives fatty chyle and empties into the
thoracic duct. And so aids in the absorption of fats and the maintenance of hydrostatic
pressure roles
Bone marrow = bone marrow is where white blood cells are created and where B cells
mature. white blood cells then go on to circulate the lymphatic system to aid in the protective
and defensive role.
Formation of lymph fluid = lymph fluid comes from the plasma which is the liquid substance
in the blood and due to arterial pressure is forced out of the capillaries through the
endothelium. Once it comes out of capillaries, it ends up around the surrounding tissue and
is called interstitial tissue fluid. It bathes cells to exchange materials like oxygen and
nutrients and takes waste products like carbon dioxide from respiration. Lymph vessels then
carry lymph to ducts where it is drained and returned to the bloodstream. It is considered
lymph fluid when tissue fluid is in lymph vessels/lymphatic system. seventeen out of twenty
litres of interstitial fluid goes back to the bloodstream the other three litres circulates in the
lymphatic system. Lymph is made of mostly water but contains lymphocytes, lipids and
proteins.
Three main functions of the lymphatic system
Defensive and protection role = the lymphatic system can protect the body as it contains
many lymphocytes or white blood cells that circulate in lymph fluid and in lymph nodes.
There are B and T cells as well as macrophages which all help to eliminate pathogens.
Pathogens are organisms that can cause disease this could be a virus, a bacteria, fungi,
parasites, protozoa and even proteins. Pathogens have antigens on them which are proteins
that are found on the membrane. Antigens can be recognised by the
body as non-self cells by T cells and once this happens, killer T cells will try to destroy it this
is called a cell mediated immune response but if they cant, helper T cells stimulate B cells to
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