GRCC - BI 122 - THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
(ANSWERED) 87 Q&A (Answered)
2025/2026.
What are the functions of the lymphatic system ?
1. Immunity
- Transport of white blood cells
- Transport of pathogens to lymph nodes
- Production of antibodies
2. Interstitial Fluid Return
3. Transport fat from small intestine to veins
What is the hierarchy of the lymphatic system?
1. Capillaries
2. Lymph vessels
3. Lymph nodes
4. Lymph vessels
5. Lymph trunk
6. Lymph duct
7. Subclavian veins
What is the function and characteristics of the capillaries ?
1. Collect interstitial fluid (lymph)
2. They have similar anatomy as blood capillaries
3. Closed ends
4. Same distance as blood capillaries
What are some characteristics of lymphatic vessels ?
1. Same tunic anatomy as veins
2. Contains semi-lunar valves
3. Periodic lymph nodes
What is the function of lymphatic trunks?
Collect lymph from Lymph vessels
What is the function and characteristic of Lymph ducts ?
1. Collect lymph from lymph trunks
2. both ducts (thoracic and right lymphatic) dump into subclavian veins
Where can you find lymphatic capillaries ?
Dermis. Any break in dermis allows entry into lymphatic system e.g. bee stings, spider bites
What is the function of lymph nodes ?
, Destroy pathogens
What are some characteristics of lymph nodes ?
1. Serves as house for increasing number of dividing and mature lymphocytes and macrophages
2. Located along lymphatic pathways
Where else are lymphocytes produced?
Red marrow
What nodes are affected with a throat or respiratory infection ?
Cervical nodes become enlarged producing swollen glands
What are the first nodes in line to drain a tumor ?
Sentinesl lymph nodes should be the first to receive cells from a metastasizing cancer
What is Elephantiasis ?
Obstruction of the lymph nodes, caused by, nematodes worms, tumors or infection, and result in,
tissue edema and collagen fiber formation
How is lymph formed ?
Blood capillary filtration pushes plasma into interstitial spaces and then into lymph capillaries
Lymph flow occurs via ?
1. Skeletal muscle contraction in limbs
2. Contraction of respiratory muscles and abdominal viscera
3. Smooth muscle contraction in larger lymph vessels and trunks
How can edema occur ?
When interstitial fluid accumulation exceeds its movement into lymphatic capillaries
What are the six organs of the lymphatic system ?
1. Lymph nodes
2. Thymus
3. Spleen
4. Tonsils
5. Peyer's patches ( Aggregated lymphatic nodules)
6. Appendix
What is the function of the thymus ?
Maturation of T lymphocytes from red marrow.
Shrinks post-puberty then replace by connective tissue in elderly
What is the function of the spleen?
1. Filters blood same way lymph nodes filter lymph by destroying:
- Old red blood cells via capillary channels
- cellular debris via macrophages
- Pathogens via lymphocytes and macrophages
(ANSWERED) 87 Q&A (Answered)
2025/2026.
What are the functions of the lymphatic system ?
1. Immunity
- Transport of white blood cells
- Transport of pathogens to lymph nodes
- Production of antibodies
2. Interstitial Fluid Return
3. Transport fat from small intestine to veins
What is the hierarchy of the lymphatic system?
1. Capillaries
2. Lymph vessels
3. Lymph nodes
4. Lymph vessels
5. Lymph trunk
6. Lymph duct
7. Subclavian veins
What is the function and characteristics of the capillaries ?
1. Collect interstitial fluid (lymph)
2. They have similar anatomy as blood capillaries
3. Closed ends
4. Same distance as blood capillaries
What are some characteristics of lymphatic vessels ?
1. Same tunic anatomy as veins
2. Contains semi-lunar valves
3. Periodic lymph nodes
What is the function of lymphatic trunks?
Collect lymph from Lymph vessels
What is the function and characteristic of Lymph ducts ?
1. Collect lymph from lymph trunks
2. both ducts (thoracic and right lymphatic) dump into subclavian veins
Where can you find lymphatic capillaries ?
Dermis. Any break in dermis allows entry into lymphatic system e.g. bee stings, spider bites
What is the function of lymph nodes ?
, Destroy pathogens
What are some characteristics of lymph nodes ?
1. Serves as house for increasing number of dividing and mature lymphocytes and macrophages
2. Located along lymphatic pathways
Where else are lymphocytes produced?
Red marrow
What nodes are affected with a throat or respiratory infection ?
Cervical nodes become enlarged producing swollen glands
What are the first nodes in line to drain a tumor ?
Sentinesl lymph nodes should be the first to receive cells from a metastasizing cancer
What is Elephantiasis ?
Obstruction of the lymph nodes, caused by, nematodes worms, tumors or infection, and result in,
tissue edema and collagen fiber formation
How is lymph formed ?
Blood capillary filtration pushes plasma into interstitial spaces and then into lymph capillaries
Lymph flow occurs via ?
1. Skeletal muscle contraction in limbs
2. Contraction of respiratory muscles and abdominal viscera
3. Smooth muscle contraction in larger lymph vessels and trunks
How can edema occur ?
When interstitial fluid accumulation exceeds its movement into lymphatic capillaries
What are the six organs of the lymphatic system ?
1. Lymph nodes
2. Thymus
3. Spleen
4. Tonsils
5. Peyer's patches ( Aggregated lymphatic nodules)
6. Appendix
What is the function of the thymus ?
Maturation of T lymphocytes from red marrow.
Shrinks post-puberty then replace by connective tissue in elderly
What is the function of the spleen?
1. Filters blood same way lymph nodes filter lymph by destroying:
- Old red blood cells via capillary channels
- cellular debris via macrophages
- Pathogens via lymphocytes and macrophages
