LYMPHATIC

SYSTEM
➦ A network of conduits that carry
a clear fluid called LYMPH.
➦ Maintains fluid balance.
➦ Serves a tissue drainage.
➦ Fat transportation
➦ Defends the body against diseases
by producing lymphocytes.
➦ Absorbs lipids from the intestine and
transport them to the blood.

➦ Collects the interstitial fluid &

returns it to circulatory system.

➦ A specialized component of the

Circulatory System.
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
COMPOSITION
OF THE
LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM
 LYMPH
 Is a colorless, mobile fluid
connective tissue.
 It is the tissue that slowly drains
into the lymphatic capillaries from
the intercellular spaces.
 It is a milky fluid from the excess
fluid surrounding body tissues.
 LYMPHATIC
CAPILLARIES
 Are closed at one end and are
located in the spaces between
cells throughout the body except
in the central system and in
non-vascular tissues.
 They are interwoven with the
blood capillaries, but are not
connected with them.
 They are wider than blood
capillaries and their diameter is
not uniform figure.
 They have a very thin wall,
consisting of a single layer of flat
endothelial cells resting on a
basement membrane.
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
 LYMPHATIC
VESSELS
 Are thin walled valve
structures that contain
carry lymph.
 Smaller lymphatic vessels
unite to form larger vessels
 Q u ic k T im e ª a n d a
d e co m p re sso r
a r e n e e d e d t o s e e t h is p ic t u r e .
 2 MAIN LYMPHATIC VESSELS
1. Thoraic Duct, receives lymph from the
entire body except the right side of
the head, neck & thorax, and the right
arm.

2. Right Lymphatic Duct, receives lymph

from the right side of the head, neck &
thorax, and the right arm.
 LYMPHATIC
NODES
 Acts as filter or traps for foreign
particles.
 A thin bean-shaped gland, located in
many areas of the body.
 It is an organized collection of
lymphoid tissues, through which the
lymph passes on its way to returning to
the blood.
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
 LYMPHATI
CS
o Tubular vessels transport back lymph to
the blood ultimately replacing the volume
lost from the blood during the formation
of the interstitial fluid. These channels
are the lymphatic channels or simply
called lymphatics.
 LYMPHOID
TISSUE
 Concerned with immune functions in
defending the body against the
infections and spread of tumors.
 It consists of connective tissue with
various types of white blood cells
enmeshed in it, most numerous being
the lymphocytes.
 -
SPLEEN
 Is the largest component of the
lymphatic system.
 It is a large, bean-shaped,
vascular, dark-red organ located
in the abdomen just below the
diaphragm at the tail of the
pancreas behind the stomach.
 It is composed of red pulp
having small patches of white
pulp scattered in it’s figure.
 -THYMUS
• Also a lymphatic organ.
• Lies in the upper anterior portion of the
chest cavity just behind the sternum.
• The main function of this is to provide
an area for T lymphocyte maturation, and
is vital in protecting autoimmunity.
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
-
TONSILS
Tonsils too are lymphatic tissues.
•
• They are located in the throat.
• They do not filter lymph.
• They are thought to protect against
infection.
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
DISORDERS
QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
 LYMPHADENOPATHY
Lymphadenopathy is an increase in the size of
a lymph node/nodes, most often as the result
of a nearby infection. Less commonly
(particularly in children), swelling of the
lymph nodes can be due to an infiltration of
cancerous cells.
Symptoms:
Obviously swollen lymph nodes is
one symptoms of lymphadenopathy.
There are other symptoms as well.

• swollen, enlarged lumps in the

neck, back of the head, or other
locations of lymph nodes
• tenderness of the nodes, although
the nodes may not be painful at all
• warmth or redness of the skin
over the lymph nodes
• fever
Treatment:
• Antibiotics, to treat any bacterial
infections
• Antivirals, to treat any viral illness
present such as HIV
• A lymph node biopsy may be needed to
identify cancer. If cancer is diagnosed,
chemotherapy will be used to treat the
cancer and reduce the lymph node
swelling.
• Depending on the cause, sometimes the
lymphadenopathy is monitored without
treatment and eventually resolves on it
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
 LYMPHADENITIS
(ADENITIS)
Lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the
lymph node due to an infection of the
tissue in the node itself. In children,
this condition most commonly involves the
lymph nodes of the neck.
Symptoms:
• Swollen, tender, or hard lymph nodes
• Red, tender skin over lymph node
• Lymph nodes may feel soft and
rubbery if an abscess has formed.
Treatment:
• Antibiotics to treat any underlying
infection
• Analgesics to control pain
• Anti-inflammatory medications to
reduce inflammation and swelling
• Hot moist compresses to reduce
inflammation and pain
• Surgery may be needed to drain any
abscess.
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
 LYMPHOMA
S
A group of cancers that arise from
lymph nodes, these diseases result when
lymphocytes undergo changes and start
Q u ic k T im e ª a n d a
to multiply outd e c o m pof r e s s o r control. The
a r e n e e d e d t o s e e t h is p ic t u r e .
involved lymph nodes enlarge, and the
cancer cells crowd out healthy cells
and may form tumors (solid growths) in
other parts of the body.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of lymphomas are
often vague and non-specific.
Patients may experience loss of
appetite, weight loss, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal discomfort,
and indigestion. The patient may
complain of a feeling of fullness,
which is a result of enlarged
lymph nodes in the abdomen.
Pressure or pain in the lower back
is another symptom. In the
advanced stages, the patient may
have bone pain, headaches,
Treatment:
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Antibody therapy
• Bone marrow or stem cell
transplant
 TONSILLIT
An
IS
QuickTimeª and a
decompressor

extremely common condition,

are needed to see this picture.
QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

particularly in common in children,

tonsillitis occurs when tonsils,
are involved in a bacterial or
viral infection that causes them to
become swollen and inflamed.
QuickTimeª and a QuickTimeª and a
decompressor decompressor
are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this picture.
Symptoms:
• A very sore throat
• Fever
• Redder-than-normal tonsils
• Chills
• A yellow or white coating
on the tonsils
• A funny-sounding voice
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Bad breath
Treatment:
• Throat pain and fever may be
improved with over-the-counter
pain relievers such as ibuprofen
(Advil, for example) or
acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Ease sore throat pain by
gargling frequently with warm
salt water.
• Drink plenty of clear liquids
to avoid dehydration.
• Get plenty of rest.
 LYMPHEDEMA
Lymphedema, also known as
lymphatic obstruction, is a
condition of
QuickTimeªlocalized
and a fluid
retention decompressor
and tissue swelling
are needed to see this picture.
caused by a compromised
lymphatic system. The lymphatic
system returns the interstitial
fluid to the thoracic duct and
then to the bloodstream, where
it is recirculated back to the
Symptoms:
• Swelling of part of your arm or
your entire arm or leg, including
your fingers or toes
• A feeling of heaviness or
tightness in your arm/leg
• Restricted range of motion in
your arm or leg
• Aching or discomfort in your arm
or leg
Treatment:
• Recurring infections in your
•affected limb
Exercise
•• Hardening your
Wrapping & thickening
arm
skin on your arm/leg or of the
leg
• Massage
• Pneumatic compression
• Compression garments
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
 LEUKEMIA
A disease of the blood-forming organs,
characterized by an increase in the number
of leucocytes and their precursors in the
blood, causing enlargement
QuickTim eª and aand proliferation
decom pressor
of the lymphoid tissue
are needed of the spleen,
to see this picture.
lymphatic glands, and bone marrow.
Symptoms:
•Fever, chills, and other flu-like
symptoms
•Feeling tired or weak
•Unexplained weight loss
•Loss of appetite
•Tiny red spots under the skin
(petechiae)
•Sweating (especially at night)
•Headache
•Frequent infections
•Bleeding or bruising easily
•Pain in the bones or joints
•Swelling or discomfort in the
abdomen
•Anemia
Treatment:
1. Chemotherapy to kill leukemia
cells using strong anti-cancer
drugs;
2. Interferon therapy to slow the
reproduction of leukemia cells and
promote the immune system's anti-
leukemia activity;
3. Radiation therapy to kill
cancer cells by exposure to high-
energy radiation;
4. Stem cell transplantation (SCT)
to enable treatment with high
doses of chemotherapy and
radiation therapy; and5.surgery to
 QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
QuickTimeª and a are needed to see this picture.
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM

LEUKEMIA

QuickTimeª and a QuickTimeª and a

decompressor decompressor
are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this picture.