Definition:

Lymphatic system is a closed system of vessels, which draws the

extra tissue fluid into the blood vascular system.
Components of Lymphatic System:
1) Lymph and lymph vessels:
 Lymph
 Lymph capillaries
 Lymph vessels proper
 Terminal lymph ducts( trunks)
2) Lymphoid Tissue:
 Lymph nodes
 Spleen
 Tonsils‘
 Bone marrow
Functions of Lymph and Lymphatic System:
It helps to maintain interstitial tissue pressure.
Lymph carries protein molecules, electrolytes and other
macromolecules back from interstitial fluid to circulation.
It helps in transport of lymphocytes, red blood
cells(RBCs), antigens and antigen presenting cells to the
secondary lymphiod organs.
Lymph nodes and spleen help to destroy any foreign
particles and micro organisms in circulation, thus guarding
against them.
The digested fat in small intestines are absorbed into the
lymph vessels and carried to the liver and the circulation.
It supplies oxygen and nutrients to selected parts of the
body.
 LYMPH
When blood reaches the capillaries, part of its fluid content
passes into the surrounding tissues as tissue fluid.
Most of this fluid re-enters the capillaries at their venous
ends.
A part of this fluid, returns to the circulation through a
separate system of vessels called lymphatic vessels of
lymphatics.
The tissue fluid, which enters the lymphatic system is
known as lymph.
The Lymph carries particulate material, colloids and
macromolecules from tissue fluid.
This helps to maintain the low protein concentration of
tissue fluid.
 Lymphocytes are the most abundant cells of the lymph.
 LYMPH CAPILLARIES

There is an inner lining of endothelium.

The basal lamina is absent or poorly developed.

Lymph capillaries are present in most of the tissue.

They are numerous in mucous membrane, especially in

the intestine, serous surfaces, dermis of skin and skeletal
muscles.
Places Where Lymph Capillaries are Absent

◆ Avascular structures such as epidermis, cornea and

cartilage
◆ Brain and spinal cord
◆ Splenic pulp
◆ Bone marrow
◆ Liver lobule
◆ Lung units
◆ Superficial fascia.
LYMPH VESSELS PROPER:
These are formed by the convergence of lymph capillaries.
Characteristics of Lymph Vessels Proper:
1. They consist of single layer of endothelium surrounded by smooth
muscle fibers and elastic tissue in their walls. Large trunks and
thoracic duct have structure similar to that of blood vessels, i.e. they
have three distinct layers:
- Tunica intima
- Tunica media
- Tunica adventitia
2. Numerous valves are present in lymphatic vessels. The valves often
give lymph vessels a beaded appearance.
3. They accompany the blood vessels supplying the area.
4. The lymphatic vessels are connected to lymph nodes in their path.
5. Lymph vessels become larger as they join together, eventually forming
the two terminal ducts, right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct,
which empty lymph into the subclavian vein.
TERMINAL LYMPH DUCTS
Thoracic Duct
Thoracic duct is the largest lymph vessel in the body,
 It begins at upper end of the cisterna chyli.
Cisterna chyli is a dilated sac-like structure present at
the level of first two lumbar vertebrae.
The duct is 40-45 cm long with a beaded appearance
due to presence of numerous valves in its lumen. (Other
structures with 45 cm length in the human body-spinal
cord, vas deferens, femur).
It enters thorax along with aorta through aortic opening
of diaphragm.
Thoracic duct ends by opening into the junction of left
subclavian vein and left internal jugular vein.
 Thoracic duct drains the lymphatics from
the entire body except the right side of head
and neck, right upper limb, right lung, right
thoracic wall, right half of heart and the
convex surface of liver.
Cancer cells from above mentioned areas
can spread to left supraclavicular lymph
nodes through the thoracic duct. The first
symptom in a patient with cancer of the
stomach may be an enlargement of left
supraclavicular lymph nodes.
Note: There is no thoracic duct on the right
side. Lymph from right side of head, neck,
right upper limb and right hemithorax is
drained by right lymphatic duct.

The right lymphatic duct is about 1 cm long.

It opens into the right subclavian vein.
CLINICAL CORRELATION
• Lymphangitis: It is inflammation of the lymphatics.
• Lymphedema:
 Lymphedema is swelling of soft tissues due to localized
increase in the quantity of lymph. It may be due to
lymphatic invasion by malignant tumor, post-irradiation
fibrosis, parasitic infestations, e.g, in filariasis of
lymphatics producing elephantiasis.
Rupture of dilated large lymphatics may result in
escape of milky chyle into the peritoneum
(chyloperitoneum), into the pleural cavity (chylothorax),
into pericardial cavity (chylopericardium) and into the
urinary tract (chyluria).
LYMPHOID TISSUE AND ORGANS:
Lymphoid Tissue
The lymphoid tissues are part of reticulo
endothelial system that plays an important role
in immunity.
They are formed by collections of
lymphocytes, macrophages and plasma cells
in a framework of reticular fibers.
They help to destroy bacteria, foreign bodies, old
RBCs and white blood cells (WBCs).
The lymphoid tissue can be primary or secondary
LYMPH NODE
1. Lymph nodes are small masses of lymphoid tissue,
present in groups along the course of lymphatic vessels.
2. They act as filters removing bacteria and other
particulate matter from lymph. Lymphocytes are added to
lymph in these nodes.
3. Each group of lymph nodes has a specific area of
drainage.
4. Each lymph node consists of a connective tissue
framework and numerous lymphocytes. Structure Lymph
node is bean shaped. Its concave surface is called hilum,
through which blood vessels enter and leave the lymph
node. Several lymph vessels enter the node on its convex
surface.
StructureLymph node is bean shaped. Its concave surface
is called hilum, through which blood vessels enter and
leave the lymph node. Several lymph vessels enter the
node on its convex surface.
 Capsule:

A lymph node is surrounded by a capsule. The

capsule consists mainly of collagen fibers; elastic fibers and
smooth muscle may be present.
Just below the capsule is the subcapsular sinus. A
number of septa or trabeculae extend into the node from
the capsule and divide the node into lobules.
Lymph node has an outer cortex and inner
medulla.
The cortex does not extend into the hilum.
 Cortex

The cortex is made up of densely packed

lymphocytes.
There are several rounded masses of
lymphocytes, called lymphatic follicles or lymphatic
nodules.
Each nodule has a paler i germinal center,
surrounded by dark staining, densely packed lymphocytes.
MedullaIn this zone, the lymphocytes are
arranged in the form of branching and anastomosing
cords.
The remaining space within the node is filled by a
network of reticular fibers.