Lymphatic System

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LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
The system including all the structures involved in the transports of lymph from the tissues
to the blood stream is called lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is consists of:
 Lymph
 Lymph vessels
 Lymph nodes
 Spleen
 Thymus gland
 Tonsil
FUNCTIONS OF LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
 Tissues drainage: It helps the venous system to drain the colloid components and
particulate matters of the tissue fluid.
 It helps in absorption of digested fat and fat soluble substances.
 Immunity: Production and maturation of lymphocytes, the lymphocyte is responsible
for immunity.
 The lymphatic drain the excess tissue fluid from tissues back to circulation.
 Lymph nodes protect the body against infection by filtering and distroying bacteria.
LYMPH
Lymph is the colourless, transparent, clear, alkaline, fluid with in the lymphatic vessels and
the cisterna chyli. The lymphocytes are chief cellular component of lymph.
Formation of lymph
Lymph is formed from interstitial fluid, due to the permeability of lymph capillaries, when
blood passes via blood capillaries in the tissues.
Composition of lymph
The lymph contains:
 96%of water
 4%of solids
Some blood cells are also present in lymph. The solids substances of lymph are proteins,
lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, electrolytes etc.
Functions of lymph
 The important function of lymph is to return the proteins from tissue spaces into blood.
 Lymph flow plays an important role in redistribution of fluid in the body.
 Through the lymph, the bacteria, toxins and other foreign bodies are removed from tissue.
 It also plays an important role in immunity by transporting lymphocytes.
 It helps in clotting.
 It acts as carries of hormones.
LYMPH VESSELS
1. Lymph capillaries
The lymph capillaries are blind end tubes originated from interstitial spaces. It is composed
of endothelial cells. The capillaries unite to form large lymphatic vessels.
Lymphatic system/prepared by:-DR.C.K.SINGH
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2. Large lymph vessel

The large lymph vessels are composed of:
 Outer layer is composed of fibrous tissue.
 Middle layer is composed of smooth muscle and elastic tissue.
 Inner layer is composed of squamous epithelium.
These lymphatic vessels contain numerous cup-shaped valves which ensure that lymph flows
is one way only. The larger lymph vessels ultimately form right lymphatic duct and thoracic
duct. The right lymphatic duct opens into right subclavian vein and thoracic duct opens into
left subclavian vein.
Right lymphatic duct-

This is dilated lymph vessels about 1cm long. It lies in the root of the neck and open into the
right subclavian vein. It drains lymph from the right half of the thorax, head, neck and the
right arm.
Thoracic duct -
It is large lymphatic duct about 40 cm long. This duct begins at the cisterna chyli and opens
into the left subclavian vein. It drains lymph from both legs, pelvic, abdominal cavities, the
left half of thorax, head & neck and left arm.
Functions of lymph vessels
 Return of excess tissue fluid to the blood (about 3 liter in a day).
 Return of plasma proteins to the blood.
 Transport of other particulate material to lymph nodes for break down.
 Fat absorbed in the small intestine enters lymph capillaries called lacteals which transport
it to the thoracic duct.
LYMPH NODES
Lymph nodes are oval or bean shaped small glandular organs located in the course of lymph
vessels. The lymph nodes are also called lymph glands or lymphatic nodes.
Group of lymph nodes
Cervical lymph nodes: - It lies behind and below the ear, along the inferior margin of the
mandible and down the side of the neck.

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Axillary lymph nodes: - It lies from the arm, through the armpit, to the thoracic wall, breast
and superior abdominal wall.
Thoracic lymph nodes: - It lies along the abdominal aorta and mesenteric arteries.
Pelvic lymph nodes: -It lies along the iliac arteries and veins.
Inguinal lymph nodes: - In the groin.
Structure of lymph nodes
Each lymph node constitutes masses of lymphatic tissue covered by a dense connective
tissue capsule. Lymph nodes have an outer covering of capsule of fibrous tissue that dips
down into the node substance forming partitions or trabeculae. The main substance of node
consists of reticular and lymphatic tissue containing many lymphocyte and macrophages, as
many as four or five afferent lymph vessels may enter a lymph node while only one efferent
vessel carries lymph away from the node.
Functions of lymph nodes

 Filtration of the lymph to separate the particulate matter e.g.:-carbon particles, dust,
microbes, malignant cells etc.
 The macrophages of lymph nodes help in destroying the bacteria and other toxic
substances.
 It helps in the development of lymphocyte.
SPLEEN
Spleen is the largest lymph organ. It is highly vascular. It is situated in left hypochondriac
region of the abdominal cavity between the stomach and diaphragm. It is purplish in colour
about 12cm long, 7cm wide and 2.5 cm thick. It is weighed about 200gm.
Structure of spleen
The spleen is covered by outer surface called serous membrane (peritoneum) and inner
surface called fibro muscular capsule. From the capsule, trabeculae and trabecular network
arise. All the three structures (capsule, trabeculae, trabecular network) contain collagen
fibers, elastic tissue, smooth muscle and reticular cells.

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The parenchyma of spleen is arranged in the form of red pulp and white pulp. The red pulp
consists of venous sinus, macrophages and mesenchymal cells. The white pulp formed by the
lymphatic sheath contains lymphocytes and macrophages. The structures entering and
leaving the spleen at the hillum are:
 Splenic artery
 Splenic vein
 Lymph vessel
 Nerves
Functions of spleen
 Erythropoiesis:- Spleen is a site of erythropoiesis (Red blood cell formation) in fetus
 Destruction of blood cells:- The older red blood cells,lymphocytes and thrombocytes are
destroyed in the spleen
 Storage of blood:- About 350ml of blood is present in spleen.on sympathetic
stimulation,it rapidly enters circulation to increase blood volume in conditions like
hemorrage.
 Immune response:-Spleen contains T and B lymphocytes which are activated in
presence of antigen.therefore,certain infections cause enlargement of spleen termed as
splenomegaly
THYMUS GLAND
The thymus gland is situated in the upper part of the mediastinum behind the sternum and
extends upwards into the root of the neck. It weight is about 10-15 gm at birth and grows
until puberty weight about 30-40 gm.
Structure of thymus gland
The thymus consists of two lobes joined by areolar tissue. Each lobe has fibro muscular
capsule. The septa arising from the capsule divide the gland into incomplete lobules, which
consist of an irregular branching frame work of epithelial cells and lymphocytes.
Blood supply:- Branches from the internal thoracic artery.
Functions of thymus gland
 It secretes thymosin hormone: - Which promotes immune competence in young T-
lymphocytes.
 Thymosin accelerates Lymphopoiesis.
 It secretes thymin hormone: - Which inhibits acetylcholine release at motor endings.
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 It activates T-lymphocytes.
TONSIL
A mass of lymphoid tissue located in the mouth and throat is called tonsil. The tonsils consist
of two glandular tissues similar to other lymph glands in the human body. They are visible
just behind the tongue, when the mouth is opened with slight force. They may vary in size.
They are soft to touch and may either be bright red or pink-grayish in colour.
TYPES OF TONSIL
Nasopharyngeal tonsil (Adenoids):- It is near at the opening of nasal cavity into the
pharynx.
Palatine tonsil: - It is located near the opening of the oral cavity in the pharynx.
Lingual tonsil: - It is located on the posterior surface of the tongue.
Tubal tonsil:-It is located near the nasopharyngeal tonsil.
Lateral pharyngeal tonsil: - It is located at lateral side of oral cavity.
Nodules: - It is located on the posterior pharyngeal wall.
FUNCTIONS OF TONSIL
 It is concerned with protection against infection.
 Destroys the swallowed and inhaled antigens.

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Page 1 of 5

2. Large lymph vessel

Right lymphatic duct-

Lymphatic system/prepared by:-DR.C.K.SINGH

Functions of lymph nodes

Lymphatic system/prepared by:-DR.C.K.SINGH

Lymphatic system/prepared by:-DR.C.K.SINGH

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