LYMPHATIC SYSTEM:OVERVIEW

PRESENTED BY: DIPANJAN MANDAL (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR)

GURUNANAK INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
• The lymphatic system consists of a fluid called lymph,
vessels called lymphatic vessels that transport the lymph,a
number of structures and organs containing lymphatic tissue.
• LYMPH :It is colourless fluid present within the lymph
capillaries and lymph vessel
• Lymphatic tissue is a specialized form of reticular
connective tissue that contains large numbers of lymphocytes.
 Functions of the Lymphatic System
• 1. Drains excess interstitial fluid:
Lymphatic vessels drain excess interstitial fluid from tissue spaces and
return it to the blood. This function closely links it with the cardiovascular
system.
• 2. Transports dietary lipid :
Lymphatic vessels transport lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins (A, D, E,
and K) absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.
• 3. Carries out immune responses:
Lymphatic tissue initiates highly specific responses directed against
particular microbes or abnormal cells.
• FUNCTION OF LYMPH:-
• It Contains lymphocyte which gives protection from microbes and other
infection.
• It helps by providing transportation for large substance that can’t pass
through blood capillary.
• It helps to remove waste material of cell from blood.
 LYMPH CAPILLARY
• Composed of single layer of endothelium cells and originate
in tissue space as blind end tubes. The capillaries join with
each other to form lymph.
 LYMPH VESSEL
• It consists of:-
• Outer membrane of fibrous tissue.
• Middle membrane of muscular and elastic tissue.
• Inner membrane composed of endothelial tissue.
• Many cup set valve which prevent backward flow of lymph.
• lymphatic capillaries unite to form larger lymphatic vessels
,which resemble small veins in structure but have thinner
walls and more valves.
• At intervals along the lymphatic vessels, lymph flows through
lymph nodes, encapsulated bean-shaped organs consisting of
masses of B cells and T cells.
 LYMPHATIC DUCT
• There are two lymphatic ducts which collect lymph from
whole body and return it to body.
• THORASIC DUCT:-
• It is a dilated lymph vessel which situated in front of body of
first two lumbar vertebrae. It carries lymph from abdominal
cavity, left side of chest, head, neck, and left arm.
• RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT:-
• It is a dilated lymph vessel situated in roof of neck and opens
into right Vein. It carries lymph from abdominal cavity, right
side chest, head, neck and right arm.
 LYMPH NODE
• It is surrounded by capsule of fibrous tissue which dips down
into the lymph node substances forming partition known as
TRABECULAE.
• Main substances of node consist of reticular tissue and
lymphatic tissue containing many lymphocytes and
macrophage.
• 4-5 afferent lymphatic ducts may enter into the lymph node
and 1 efferent lymphatic duct carrying lymph away from node.
• FUNCTION OF LYMPH NODE:-
• Protect the body against infection by filtering and destroying
bacteria.
• It produces lymphocytes which produce to protect the body
against different infection.
• It returns fluid and protein from tissue circulation.
• It carries emulsified fat from intestine to circulation.
 Lymphoid Cells & Lymphocytes
• Lymphocytes are the main cells involved in the immune
response
• They mature into T cells & B cells
• T cells (Thymus)
• Manage the immune response
• Attack and destroy foreign cells
• B cells (Bone Marrow)
• Produce plasma cells, which secrete antibodies
 Other Lymphoid Cells
• Macrophages – phagocytize foreign substances and help
activate T cells
• Dendritic cells – capture antigens and bring them back to the
lymph node
• Reticular cells – fibroblast–like cells that produce a stroma, or
network, that supports other cell types in lymphoid organs
Other Lymphoid Organs
 THYMUS
• A bilobed organ that secretes hormones (thymosin and
thymopoietin) that cause T lymphocytes (T cells) to become
immunocompetent (functional)
• Size of the thymus varies with age:
• In infants, it is found in the inferior neck , it partially overlies
the heart
• It increases in size and is most active during childhood.
• It functions strictly in T lymphocyte maturation
• It does not directly fight antigens
• Thymocytes secrete the hormones that stimulate lymphocytes
to become immunocompetent
 TONSILS
• Simplest lymphoid organs; form a ring of lymphatic tissue
around the pharynx
• Location:
• Palatine tonsils – either side of the posterior end of the oral
cavity
• Lingual tonsils – lie at the base of the
tongue
• Pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid)– posterior wall
of the nasopharynx
• Tubal tonsils – surround the openings of the
auditory tubes into the pharynx
 TONSILS
• Lymphoid tissue of tonsils contains follicles with germinal
centers
• Tonsil masses are not fully encapsulated
• Function in gathering/removing pathogens
• Entering the pharynx from food and inhaled air
• Destroy bacteria and particulate matter
 Aggregates of Lymphoid Follicles
• Peyer’s patches – isolated clusters of lymphoid tissue, similar to tonsils
Found in the wall of the distal portion of the small intestine
• Similar structures are found in the appendix
• Destroy bacteria, preventing them from breaching the intestinal wall
• Generate lymphocytes for long-term immunity
• MALT
• MALT – mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue:
• Peyer’s patches, tonsils, and the appendix (digestive tract)
• Lymphoid nodules in the walls of the bronchi (respiratory tract)
• MALT protects the digestive and respiratory systems from foreign matter
 SPLEEN
• Largest lymphoid organ (fist-sized), located on the left side of
the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm
• Blood-rich
• It is served by the splenic artery and vein, which enter and
exit at the hilum
SPLEEN STRUCTURE
 SPLEEN STRUCTURE
• It consists of -
• An outer covering of fibro elastic tissue known as
capsule which develop in serous membrane(protein).
• Capsule dips into organ and form trabeculae.
• The space between trabeculae contain spleenic tissue
which contains lymphoid tissue known as malphigian
corpuscle.
• Supplied by spleenic artery and drained out by
spleenic vein.
 SPLEEN FUNCTION
• Spleen produces all type of blood cells during foetal
life.
• RBCs are destroyed in spleen.
• Destroy foreign materials including different strained
bacteria.
• It is acts as a reservoir of blood.
• Produces T and B lymphocytes which help in immune
response and also producing antibodies.
 DISORDER
• LYMPHOMA- Malignant tumour of lymphatic
tissue.
• LYMPHOEDEMA-Occurs in lymph vessel and
caused due to the surgery. It leads inflammation and
fibrosis of lymph vessel.
• SPLEENOMEGALY-Enlargement of lymph.
• LYMPHADENITIS-Occurs in lymph nodes, carried
by microbes from other area of infection.
 REFERNCES
• Rockson SG. Diagnosis and management of lymphatic
vascular disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;52(10):799-806.
• Text book of Medical Physiology- Arthur C,Guyton
andJohn.E. Hall. Miamisburg, OH, U.S.A.
• Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by Tortora Grabowski.
Palmetto, GA, U.S.A.