Unit 8:
Learning Aim B:
Lymph introduction.
Lymphatic system has many key aspects to it. It is a key part of the human body and is
needed for normal bodily functions to occur. The main function of the lymphatic system is
that the lymphatic system gathers excessive fluid that drains from cells and tissues
throughout the body, and then returns it to the bloodstream, where it is redistributed. White
blood cells that fight infections and other disorders are produced, stored, and carried by
tissues and organs. The spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphatic veins are all part of
this system; they're a group of small tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells. Though
this an important function of the lymphatic system, it is not the only function, another function
of the lymphatic system is that fatty acid absorption occurs in the lymphatic system, fatty
acids and chyle is absorbed in the lymphatic system (britannica, 2023).
Here is a diagram that represents the lymphatic system:
(obesity help, 2023)
Spleen:
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, The spleen is a major factor in the lymphatic system. The spleen is situated under the rib
cage in the upper left region of the stomach.
It helps to protect the body by draining the
bloodstream of damaged red blood cells and other
foreign substances like pathogens. The lymphatic
system, which is a large drainage system, includes
the spleen. The spleen is a key organ as it is the
largest organ that is lymphaticThere are various
functions that the spleen has, these functions
include the following: the removal of extra fluid from
the body's tissues, controls the fluid balance in your
body, antibodies are also produced in the spleen
and produce white blood cells.The characteristics
that are in the spleen include: the capsule, artery,
vein, trabecula, vascular sinusoid, white pulp, and
the red pulp. All these parts formulate the spleen (Bailey,
2018). (Bailey,2018)
If the enlargement of the spleen was to occur, health conditions can appear. Enlarged
spleens can cause arthritis, rheumatoid and leukaemia. The treatments that are available for
enlarged spleens are splenectomy; this is the removal of the spleen and is used in crucial
situations, another option are antibiotics. Physicians will suggest one of these treatments
depending on the patient and the severity of the spleen enlargement. (Bailey, 2018)
Thymus gland:
The thymus gland is an essential organ that is used in the development of the immune
system. T lymphocytes are white blood cells produced by the thymus (also called T cells).
These are vital components of the immune system, which aid in the battle against infection.
Before we reach the age of puberty, the thymus produces all our T cells. It gradually
becomes less active, shrinks, and is eventually replaced by fat tissue (Regina Bailey, 2013).
Thymosin, a hormone produced by the thymus,
aids in the formation and development of T
lymphocytes. The red bone marrow produces
immature T lymphocytes, which then migrate to
the thymus to develop. Thymic selection is a
negative and positive selection process that
decides which T lymphocytes mature and
escape the thymus into the peripheral
circulation. The thymus gland synthesises key
hormones needed in our lymphatic system, for
example melatonin and insulin. The regulation
of immune cell production is another key role of
the thymus gland. Without the thymus gland
present, the immune system cannot function
properly, this is since the thymus has a role of producing and maturing lymphocytes and
immune cells that help with the immunity of our bodies (Regina Bailey, 2013). If damage is
prevalent in the thymus gland, cancers can occur. Tumours can affect surfaces around the
chest, chest pains and other health deficits can appear (Regina Bailey, 2013). The pain that
is caused by the thymus gland is called ‘thymoma pain’, the treatments for thymoma pain are
broad, they include: chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy and more. The broad range of
treatments that are present are extremely important to treat different types of thymoma
pains. The diagram below shows the thymus gland. The diagram shows the components
that are present in the thymus gland, these include: the thyroid, larynx, trachea, subclavian
vein, thymus, and bronchus. It is visibly next to the left lung and the heart, therefore any
injuries/harm that is caused to the thymus can have an impact on many bodily functions. The
thymus gland is important in the lymphatic system as they produce hormones that are like
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, proteins, this allows lymphosteys to mature in the immune and lymphatic system (Cleveland
Clinic, 2020).
(Cleveland Clinic, 2020)
Tonisls.
Tonsils are another key part of the lymphatic system, pathogens such as germs and viruses
that enter your mouth or nose are trapped by our tonsils. Our tonsils include loads of white
blood cells that are responsible for killing germs that enter our mouth (Cleveland Clinic,
2020).
They are made up of immune cells that make antibodies that fight diseases before they
spread throughout your body. The tonsils help to protect the body from infections in the
respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts (cleveland, 2023).
Secondary lymphoid organs include the tonsils, spleen, and lymph nodes. Lymphocytes are
neither produced nor matured in these organs. They filter lymph and store lymphocytes
instead. Pathogens or their antigens activate lymphocytes and initiate adaptive immune
responses in these secondary lymphoid organs. The tonsils are lingual, therefore meaning
they’re by our tongue. The lingual tonsils are positioned on the back surface of the tongue,
close to the entry of the oral cavity into the pharynx. The tonsils' lymphocytes and
macrophages guard the body against harmful substances and infections that enter through
the nose or mouth. (britannica, 2023)
Thus, emphasising on the importance of tonsils and the impact they have on our lymphatic
system.
The illnesses and treatments that are interlinked with our tonsils... Tonsils can swell, causing
illness (Hoffman, 2020). The most common and known virus is tonsillitis, tonsillitis literally is
the inflammation of the tonsils, tender lymph nodes can occur, causing pain on the affected
individual. A way in which tonsillitis is treated, is by the usage of antibiotics, typically
penicillin is prescribed to a patient who is suffering from tonsillitis, the usage of this will
ensure that any infections are cleared, this is an effective way in getting rid of tonsillitis as
not much needs to be done, the infection usually goes within two weeks (whilst having
penicillin) (NHS Choices, 2021), to further elaborate, the usage of penicillin is an effective
way to treat tonsillitis as penicillin stops bacteria from making peptidoglycan, a chemical
found in the cell wall that gives it the strength it needs to survive in the human body .
(Hoffman, 2020). The medicine induces bacteria to perish by weakening their cell walls,
allowing a person to recover from a bacterial infection. Another way in which tonsilitis can be
cleared is by the usage of surgery, this procedure is called tonsillectomy, this is a surgery
that removes the tonsils. Tonsillectomy is an effective way in which tonsilitis can be
removed, this is because tonsillectomy is a procedure that relieves the symptoms of swollen
tonsils (Hoffman, 2020). Surgery may help patients have fewer throat infections. On the
other hand, there are a few disadvantages of having a tonsillectomy, the after affects of
having a tonsillectomy include: infection, swelling and the possible risk of reactions to
anaesthesia, these disadvantages do not outweigh the positives of having a tonsillectomy,
therefore making it a procedure that is effective (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
Lymph Vessels:
In the lymphatic system, the lymph vessels also play a key role in the help of the immune
and lymphatic system. Lymphatic vessels are a network of capillaries and a huge network of
tubes that move lymph away from tissues throughout your body. Lymphatic veins collect and
filter lymph as it travels from the nodes to bigger vessels known as ducts, having lymph
vessels help with the smooth transportation away from tissues in our bodies. Now onto the
location of the lymph vessels, lymph vessels can be found throughout the body, except for
the bone marrow, the central nervous system, and tissues that lack blood arteries, such as
the epidermis. Endothelium forms the wall of the lymph capillary, with simple squamous cells
overlapping to form a one-way valve; the reason as to why a one-way valve is present is to
prevent backflow of any fluids during this process (climan, 2021) .
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