BTEC Applied Science: Unit 8
Learning aim B (Lymphatic System)
written by
JosephJoestar
www.stuvia.com
Downloaded by: mohammed9 | wahidsethi@gmail.com Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal £63 per month?
, Stuvia.co.uk - The Marketplace for Revision Notes & Study Guides
Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Learning aim B: Understand the impact of disorders on the physiology of the
lymphatic system and associated corrective treatment
Title: Impact of lymphatic disorder and associated treatments
P3: Describe the gross anatomy and function of the organs of the
lymphatic system.
Case study:
I am a doctor working at Lewisham Hospital. Today, a 21-year-old woman
named Senna Parkinson visited me and is suffering from inflammation and
swelling in both of her legs. She says that the swelling causes a restriction of
motion, aching, discomfort, and heaviness. From these symptoms, I concluded
that this was a case of lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition where excess
fluid collect in the tissues causing swelling. In common cases, lymphedema is
caused by the removal or damage of lymph nodes.
Lymphatic system:
The lymphatic system has many roles. These include protecting the body from
illness, maintaining body fluid levels, removing cellular waste, and absorbing
digestive tract fats.
Downloaded by: mohammed9 | wahidsethi@gmail.com Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal £63 per month?
, Stuvia.co.uk - The Marketplace for Revision Notes & Study Guides
Primary lymphoid organs include: the thymus gland and bone marrow. They
create immune cells called lymphocytes.
Secondary lymphoid organs include: The spleen, lymph nodes, the tonsils, and
tissue in the mucus membrane layers in the body.
Spleen: The spleen is located at the upper side of the abdomen behind the ribs
and next to the stomach. The spleen recognises and removes damaged blood
cells and breaks them down, saving the useful components left behind such as
iron. This keeps the blood circulating in the body clean. The spleen is
composed of two compartments containing red and white pulp full of
lymphoid cells.
Downloaded by: mohammed9 | wahidsethi@gmail.com Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal £63 per month?
, Stuvia.co.uk - The Marketplace for Revision Notes & Study Guides
Thymus gland: The Thymus gland is found in the chest between the lungs. It
produces white blood cells that fight infection. The thymus gland is composed
of epithelial cells, lymphocytes, and fat tissue.
Tonsils: Tonsils are located at the rear of the throat and is composed of tissue
similar to lymph nodes. The tonsils stop germs from entering the body through
the nose or mouth. The tonsils also contain white blood cells that kill germs.
Lymph glands/lymph nodes: The lymph glands (also called lymph nodes) filter
substances that travel through lymphatic fluid and contain lymphocytes that
help to fight infection/disease. They help to fight bacteria and infection. The
lymph nodes are found at the head and neck. There are different types of
lymph nodes, these include: cervical (neck) lymph nodes, axillary (armpit)
lymph nodes, supraclavicular lymph nodes (above collarbones), mediastinal
lymph nodes, inguinal (groin) lymph nodes, retroperitoneal lymph nodes,
mesenteric lymph nodes, pelvic lymph nodes, and other lymph nodes that are
near the elbow, behind the knee, along the airways, and along the aorta.
Major lymph nodes:
The axillary lymph nodes are located on the lower part of the armpit wall.
They drain lymph from the surrounding areas of the breast and neck.
The abdominal lymph nodes are located at the abdominal aorta and inferior
vena cava.
The inguinal lymph nodes are found at the femoral triangle of Scarpa, an area
of the upper/inner thigh.
The popliteal lymph nodes are found at the legs near the knees. They receive
lymph from lateral superficial vessels.
The supratrochlear lymph nodes are located above the medical epicondyle of
the humerus at the arm. They send vessels to the deep lymphatic channels of
the arm.
Lymph vessels: The lymph vessels (lymphatic vessels) are a network of
capillaries located throughout the body. The lymph vessels filter and collect
lymph as they continue to move to larger vessels. The lymph that travels
through the vessels into the lymph nodes destroy harmful substances.
Valves: valves are found in large lymph vessels. The valves prevent backflow of
fluid so that lymph flows forwards and not backwards.
Downloaded by: mohammed9 | wahidsethi@gmail.com Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal £63 per month?
,Stuvia.co.uk - The Marketplace for Revision Notes & Study Guides
Downloaded by: mohammed9 | wahidsethi@gmail.com Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal £63 per month?
, Stuvia.co.uk - The Marketplace for Revision Notes & Study Guides
Lymph:
Lymph is fluid that flows through the lymphatic system. It is made up of white
blood cells and lymphocytes. Lymph is formed by the fluid that seeps through
the thin walls of capillaries and into the body tissue. Some of the fluid re-
enters the capillaries and some enter the lymphatic vessels to become lymph.
Lymph contains white blood cells which fight infections. It is transported by the
lymphatic system all around the body and into lymph nodes where the fluid is
processed and cleaned by white blood cells.
P4: Describe the effect of disorders on the lymphatic system and
possible corrective treatments.
Lymphedema is a long-term condition that causes swelling in the body tissues.
Lymphedema is caused by the blockage of the lymphatic system, the blockage
prevents lymph fluid from draining well and the fluid builds up leading to
swelling. Lymphedema is also commonly caused by the removal and/or the
damage of lymph nodes during cancer treatment.
Signs and symptoms were visible in the patient from the case study. They had
noticeable swelling and inflammation in both legs which restricted movement.
Other symptoms of lymphedema include skin hardness and tightness, the
development of folds on the skin. The swelling and blockage of the lymphatic
system causes the lymphatic system to not work properly, it puts the body at
risk of disease that affect lymph nodes and spleen.
Downloaded by: mohammed9 | wahidsethi@gmail.com Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal £63 per month?
