Lymphatic System

(AN 6.1 – AN 6.3)

Dr. Sujatha Narayanan

Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy
Rajalakshmi Health City
 Specific Learning Objectives
(SLO)
• AN - 6.1 Describe the components and
functions of the lymphatic system
• AN - 6.2 Describe structure of lymph
capillaries & mechanism of lymph
circulation
• AN - 6.3 Explain the concept of
lymphoedema and spread of tumors via
lymphatics and venous system
 Introduction
• Closed system of vessels which ramify in the tissue
spaces in and around the blood capillaries, and
conveys the tissue fluid into the blood vascular
system by acting as an alternate route
• Is auxillary (alternate) to the venous system
• The lymphatics are intercepted by chains of lymph
nodes which filter the lymph and add lymphocytes in
the circulating lymph
 Components of Lymphatic System
• Lymph vessels: Lymphoid tissue:
- lymph capillaries - Primary lymphatic follicles
- lymph vessels proper - Lymph nodes
- terminal lymph duct - Haemolymph nodes
- Thymus
 Functions
• Lymph capillaries absorb and remove the large protein
molecules and other particulate matter from the tissue spaces.
Thus the cellular debris and foreign particles are conveyed to
the regional lymph nodes
• Lymphatics (lacteals) help in transport of fat from the gut
• Lymph nodes serve as filters for the lymph thus preventing the
foreign particles entering the blood stream
• Foreign particles are engulfed by the macrophages in the
sinuses
• Produce lymphocytes from lymphatic follicles of lymph node
and antibodies by the plasma cells of the lymph node
 Structure of lymph capillaries
• Begin blindly in tissue spaces
around the blood capillaries
• Communicate freely with
adjacent lymph capillaries
Valveless, lined by flattened
endothelium with no basement
and pericytes
• Endothelium are anchored to the
fibres of connective tissue,
therefore they do not collapse

 MCQ / VIVA questions

 Structure of lymph capillaries
• Endothelial cells are not connected
to each other
• The endothelial cell edges overlap –
flap valve
• The walls of the capillaries are
highly permeable to the
macromolecules of colloid.
The lymph capillaries are absent in
the following areas
- Avascular structures – epidermis,
cornea and articular cartilage
- Splenic pulp and bone-marrow
- Liver lobule and lung units
 MCQ / VIVA questions
- Brain and spinal cord
 Lymph vessels
• Beaded in appearance
• Numerous valves present (more than veins)
Superficial set – accompany veins and deep
set accompany arteries
• Three coats – tunica intima – endothelium,
tunica media – circularly arranges smooth
muscle fibres and tunica externa – fibrous
tissue
 Contd……
• Lymph flows in one direction
• Retrograde (backflow) occurs if there is any
obstruction in the vessel / separation of the
valves
Terminal lymphatic ducts
Right lymphatic duct Thoracic duct

Terminates – junction Terminates – junction

of right brachiocephalic of left brachiocephalic
vein with right vein with left
subclavian vein subclavian vein

Areas of drainage – Areas of drainage – the

the right upper limb, entire body except the
right thoracic wall, right areas which drains into
lung, right side of the the right lymphatic duct
heart and part of convex
surface of liver
 Flow of lymphatics

Lymph capillaries
Lymph vessel proper

Lymph node
Terminal Duct

Junction of the Internal jugular and subclavian veins

Right atrium of Heart

 Lymphoid Tissue
• Modified connective tissue
• Consisting of supportive structure (reticular fibres)
and cells (fixed and free cells)
• Fixed cells are reticular cells(littoral cells) which
are attached to the reticular fibres and phagocytic in
nature
• These are stem cells from where free cells are
derived
• Free cells – lymphoblasts, lymphocytes and plasma
cells
• Plasma cells – from B-lymphocyte (induced by
Antigen)
 Lymphocytes
• Two types
- Thymus –dependent cells (T – lymphocytes),
concerned with cell-mediated immunity
- B – lymphocytes which produce humoral antibodies
through the plasma cells
- The lymphoblasts are derived from T and B
lymphocytes
 Antigens
• Are foreign bodies, on gaining entrance produce an
immunological response from the host for self
protection by inactivating or destroying foreign
substances
• The antigens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and
helminths) or from genetically dissimilar cells of the
tissue graft or from some of the body cells of host and
produce auto-immune response
• Cancer cells also act as antigens
 Formation of antibody
Antigen B-Lymphocyte Immunoblast

Plasma cell Pro-Plasmocyte Plasmoblast

Specific Circulating
Antibody
 B-Lymphocytes
• Precursors of B cells are processed in the bone
marrow
- In birds, these cells are derived from an endodermal
pouch, the bursa of Fabricius attached to the hind gut
• Mature or effector B cells leave the bone marrow and
settle in
(i) Lymph nodes within the superficial zone of the
cortex
(ii)White pulp of spleen outside the periarteriolar
lymphatic sheath
 B-Lymphocytes
(iii) Diffuse lymphoid tissue beneath the mucous
membrane of respiratory, alimentary and urinary
systems
(iv) Some free cells circulate in the blood
 Antibodies or Immunoglobulins
• Circulating macro-molecular plasma proteins
• Secreted by plasma cells of the host
• Plasma cells are derived from the antigen activated B-
lymphocytes to produce specific antibody against the
specific antigen
• IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and IgD
• IgG – most abundant(75%), only one to cross the
placental barrier
• IgA – Predominant in mucosal immune system (saliva,
tears, bronchial secretions, nasal mucosa
 Antibodies or Immunoglobulins
• IgA (15%) – Predominant in mucosal immune
system, resistant to the proteolytic digestive enzymes
(saliva, tears, bronchial secretions, nasal mucosa, small
intestine, prostatic fluid and vaginal secretion)
• IgM (10%) – IgM and IgD exhibit both membrane-
bound and circulating form. Found on the surface of
the B-lymphocytes, help proliferation and
differentiation of B-lymphocytes, also cause lysis of
cells including bacteria
 Antibodies or Immunoglobulins
• IgE – great affinity for receptors located in the
plasma membrane of mast cells and basophils-
produce allergic reaction by liberating histamine,
heparin, leukotrienes and ECF-A (eosinophil-
chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis). Such antigens are
known as allergens
 T-Lymphocytes
• Primitive stem cells are derived from the bone
marrow, through the circulatory system reach the
thymus, where these T cells develop immune-
competent maturity by repeated mitosis in an antigen
–free environment due to presence of haemothymic
barrier
• T lymphocytes settle in
(i)Lymph nodes in the midzone of cortex (paracortical
zone)
(ii)Periarteriolar lymphatic sheath of spleen
 T-Lymphocytes
(iii) Diffuse lymphoid tissue of mucosal lymphatic
system
(iv) Free lymphocytes in the circulating blood
•75% of circulating lymphocytes are derived from the T
cells
•When stimulated by antigen, T cells secrete
lymphokines, influence the growth and differentiation
between different groups of immune cells
•T cells function by directing and recruiting other cells
without secreting antibody- cellular immunity
 T-Lymphocytes
• Helper T cells – secrete lymphokines, these stimulate
the proliferation and maturation of cytotoxic and
suppressor T cells
• Helper T cells are killed by HIV virus that cause
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
• Cytotoxic T cells – these cells kill the virus-infected
and malignant cells, by releasing toxic lysosomal
proteins the perforins, which produce hole in the cell
membrane of the target cells
 T-Lymphocytes
• Natural Killer (NK) cells – secrete cytolysin and kill
non-specifically virus infected cells, protozoa and
other pathogenic cells
• Suppressor T cells – Inhibit the functions of Helper
and Cytotoxic T cells therefore prevents autoimmune
diseases, allergic asthma and allergic dermatitis
• Memory T cells – long span of life, therefore when
exposed to the same antigen on subsequent occasion,
the response of memory T cell is prompt to challenge
the invader
 Distribution of lymphoid tissue
• Primary lymph follicles
• Lymph nodes
• Haemolymph and haemal nodes
• Thymus
• Primary lymph follicles: consists of both T and B
- No definite fibrous capsule
- The follicles filter tissue fluid and act as second line
of defence of the body
- Possesses no afferent vessels, but have efferent
vessels
 Primary lymph follicles
- consists of both T and B lymphocytes
-Centre of the follicle is termed as germinal centre
occupied by lymphoblasts
-Periphery of the follicle consists of free lymphocytes
and plasma cells
-No definite fibrous capsule
-The follicles filter tissue fluid and act as second line of
defence of the body
-Possesses no afferent vessels, but have efferent vessels
 Primary lymph follicles
• Present in loose connective tissue of upper
respiratory, alimentary and urinary tracts
• Lymph nodes and spleen
• Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) related
to gut (GALT) and to bronchus (BALT)
 Lymph nodes
• Bean shaped and present in groups
• Situated along the blood vessels
• 800 lymph nodes are present in the human body
• Single efferent lymph vessel present
• Capsule present, and trabeculae arises from them and
enters the gland
• Divided into cortex and medulla
• At the sub-capsular space the afferent lymph vessels
terminate
• Para-trabecular space are continuous with the sub-
capsular space
 Lymph nodes
• Medulla – medullary cords occupied by lymphocytes
• Finally the cords reach the hilum of the lymph node
from which efferent lymph vessels arise
• Therefore lymph node structural framework consists
of capsule, trabeculae and reticular fibres
• The interstices of reticular fibres are filled with
reticular cells and free lymphocytes and plasma cells
 B-lymphocytes settle in the superficial zone of cortex
and in the medullary cords of lymph node, and T-
lymphocytes are located in the midzone and deep
zone of the cortex
 Thymus
• It is a central organ of lymphatic system
• Provides uncommitted immunologically competent
lymphocytes to the circulating pool and to the
peripheral lymph organs
• T-lymphocytes grow in antigen –free environment
and therefore deliver uncommitted cells which can
react with varieties of new antigens
• The growth hormone and thyroid hormones stimulate
thymus to grow before attaining puberty
• Presence of steroids hormones from the suprarenal
cortex and from gonads favour involution of thymus
(post-pubertal)
 Thymus
• Administration of steroids in early age produces early
involution of thymus and suppresses lymphopoiesis
of the entire lymphatic system
• Thymus is enlarged in autoimmune disease
(myasthenia gravis), where certain voluntary muscles
develop early fatigue after initial few contractions.
Thymectomy decreases its symptoms
• Capsule and incomplete trabeculae present
• Cortex and medulla are present
• Presence of Hassal’s corpuscles
 Haemolymph and Haemal Nodes
• Admixture of blood and lymph which fills up the
interstices of reticular fibres
• Rare in man, if found it is in retro-peritoneal lymph
nodes
• Spleen is a haemal node and it filters blood by taking
out worn out erythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets and
microbial antigens from the circulation
- Consists of capsule, trabeculae, reticular fibres, red
pulp and white pulp made of primary lymph follicle
- Each follicle is traversed eccentrically by an arteriole.
- T- lymphocyte lie in the periarteriolar sheath and B-
lymphocyte occupies the rest of the area
 Clinical Implications
• Lymphedema – obstruction of lymph flow, resulting
in excess fluid collection in the interstitial space
• Lymphangitis – inflammation of lymph vessel
• Lymphadenitis – inflammation of lymph node
• Lymphoma – malignant growth of lymphocytes
• Splenomegaly
• Elephantiasis – blockage of lymphatic vessels due to
filarial parasites
• Lymph node biopsy
• Sentinel node biopsy
• Lymphangiography
Thank you