THE LYMPHATIC

SYSTEM
By Group four
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lecture discussion
students should be able to:
Define the Lymphatic system
Define Lymph
Describe the function of the lymphatic
system
Describe the lymphatic vessels
Describe the lymphatic organs
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
What is lymphatic system
It is a network of tissues, vessels and
organs that work together to move the
lymph back into the bloodstream. It is a
one way system that moves lymph from
tissue spaces back into the
bloodstream( Sievert science, 2024).
INTRODUCTION CON....
Consists of a large network of lymphatic
vessels, lymph nodes, lymphoid organs,
lymphatic tissue and lymph. Lymph is a
clear fluid carried by the lymphatic vessels
back to the heart for re-circulation. The
Latin word for lymph, lympha, refers to the
deity of fresh water, “Lympha”.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Lymphatic structures are widely
scattered throughout the body and has
three main functions.
1. Its vessels return cleansed tissue fluid
to the blood.
2. Its capillaries (lacteals) play an
important role in the intestinal
absorption of fats and fat-soluble
GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
3. Its tissues help the body defend itself
against diseases
FUNCTION OF LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM
(Siebert science, 2024) notes that, it one
of the functions is Collecting excess fluid
from your body's tissues and returning it
to your bloodstream. This supports
healthy fluid levels in your body. ...
Helping your body absorb fats. ...
Protecting your body against invaders.
HOW DOES LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM MAINTAINS
HOMEOSTASIS
When the temperature is high or low, the
lymphatic vessels respond to help
maintain homeostasis:
High Temperature:
Lymphatic vessels dilate (widen) to
increase blood flow and heat loss.
Lymphatic vessels pump more lymph to
help dissipate heat.
 Low Temperature:
Lymphatic vessels constrict (narrow) to
reduce blood flow and conserve heat.
Lymphatic vessels pump less lymph to
conserve energy and heat.
LYMPH
Lymph is a colourless fluid containing
white blood cells, proteins, fats,
glucose, salt and water. 96% of Lymph
is water and the remaining 4% is the
solid particles
Lymph is the name given to tissue fluid
when it enters the Lymph vessels
FUNCTIONS OF LYMPH
Lymph:
•Transports the plasma proteins that sip out
of the capillary beds back to the
bloodstream.
•It also carries away larger particles, like
bacteria and cell debris from damaged
tissues, which can then be filtered out and
destroyed by the lymph nodes.
FUNCTIONS OF LYMPH CON...
Immunity: Lymph contains
lymphocytes, which circulate in the
lymphatic system allowing them to
patrol the different regions of the body
FORMATION AND
CIRCULATION OF LYMPH
• Plasma fluid, carrying dissolved substances
and some plasma protein, escape from the
arterial end of the capillaries and into the
tissues.
• Most of this fluid is returned directly to the
bloodstream via the capillary at its venous
end, but 3-4 litres of fluid is drained away by
the lymphatic vessels as lymph.
 FORMATION AND CIRCULATION OF LYMPH
CONT..
It then, flows through progressively large
lymph vessels
Overview of fluid circulation
Blood tissue fluid lymph
blood
LYMPHATIC VESSELS
LYMPHATIC VESSELS CON’T...
Lymphatic capillaries
They originate as blind-end tubes in the
interstitial spaces and have the same
structure as blood capillaries, that is a
single layer of endothelial cells.
Their walls are more permeable to all
interstitial fluid constituents, including
proteins and cell debris unlike the blood
capillaries that are semi permeable
LYMPHATIC VESSELS
CON’T...
• The tiny capillaries join up to form
larger lymph vessels.
• They are found in all tissues of the
body ,except the central nervous
system, the cartilage, Cornea and the
epidermis of the skin
LYMPHATIC
ORGANS

■ Comprise
of the
lymph
nodes,
the
spleen,
the
thymus,
the
tonsils
THE LYMPH NODES
Bean-shaped organs, found often in
groups, along lymph vessels.
• lymph drains through a number of nodes
before returning to the venous circulation
• vary considerably in size i.e, some are
small & others are large.
Lymph nodes are small encapsulated
structure positioned along lymphatic
vessels to filter lymph and facilitate
antibody production.
THE LYMPH NODES CONT...
Many afferent lymph vessels may enter
a lymph node while only one efferent
vessel carries lymph away from the
node.
• Each node has a concave surface
called the hilum where an artery enters
and a vein and efferent lymph vessel
leave.
• Lymph nodes are situated in strategic
positions throughout the body
THE LYMPH NODES CONT...
Lymph from the head and neck passes
through deep and superficial cervical
nodes
•Lymph from the upper limbs passes
through nodes in the elbow region then
through the deep and superficial axillary
nodes.
•Lymph from organs and tissues in the
thoracic cavity drains through groups of
nodes that are close to the
THE LYMPH NODES CONT...
Most of the lymph from the breast
passes through the axillary nodes.
Lymph from the pelvic and abdominal
cavities passes through many lymph
nodes before entering the cisterna chili.
FUNCTION OF LYMPH
NODE
filter out harmful substances and waste
products.
They also contain immune cells called
lymphocytes that destroy bacteria and
cancer cells.
Lymph that passes through lymph
nodes is filtered by the reticular
and lymphoid tissue
• Particulate matter may include
microbes, dead and live phagocytes
containing ingested microbes, cells
from malignant tumours, worn out and
damaged tissue cells and inhaled
SPLEEN
• largest lymph organ formed by
reticular and lymphatic tissue and
• lies in the left hypochondriac region of
the abdominal cavity between the
fundus of the stomach and the
diaphragm.
• It is purplish in colour and varies in
size in different individuals, but is
usually about 12 cm long,7 cm wide and
FUNCTIONS OF THE
SPLEEN
Stores blood.
Filters blood by removing cellular waste
and getting rid of old or damaged blood
cells.
Makes white blood cells and antibodies
that help you fight infection.
Maintains the levels of fluid in your
body.
Produces antibodies that protect you
 THYMUS
lies behind the sternum in the upper/
(superior )part of the mediastinum
• Extends upwards into the root of the
neck.
• weighs about 10 to 15 g at birth and
grows until the individual reaches
puberty, then begins to atrophy.
• Its maximum weight, at puberty, is
between 30 and 40 g and by middle age
FUNCTIONS OF THYMUS
What does the thymus do?
The primary function of the thymus
gland is to train special white blood
cells called T-lymphocytes or T-cells.
White blood cells (lymphocytes) travel
from your bone marrow to your thymus.
The lymphocytes mature and become
specialized T-cells in your thymus.
 FUNCTIONS OF THYMUS
CONT...
After the T-cells have matured, they enter
your bloodstream. They travel to your
lymph nodes (groups of cells) and other
organs in your lymphatic system, where
they help your immune system fight
disease and infection
FUNCTIONS OF THYMUS
CONT...
Your thymus gland is also part of your
endocrine system. Your endocrine
system makes and releases hormones
that control the functions of your body.
Your thymus produces and releases
several hormones including:
Thymopoietin: fuels the production of
T-cells and tells the pituitary gland to
release hormones.
FUNCTIONS OF THYMUS
CONT...
Thyroxin and thymine: help make
specialized types of T-cells.
Thyme humoral factor: keeps your
immune system working properly.
TONSILS
■ Located in the mouth and throat, and
will therefore destroy swallowed and
inhaled antigens.
■ The three groups are:
• Pharyngeal tonsils mass of lymphoid
tissue present on the posterior wall of
the nasopharynx (single).
•Palatine tonsils located near the nasal
cavity into the pharynx
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the lymphatic system is a
vital network of vessels, organs, and
tissues that play a crucial role in:
Defending the body against infection and
disease,, Absorbing fats
CONCLUSION CONT...
Collecting excess fluid from your body's
tissues and returning it to your
bloodstream. This supports healthy fluid
levels in your body, Helping your body
absorb fats, Protecting your body against
invaders. It is a one way system that
moves lymph from tissue spaces back into
the bloodstream
REFERENCES
Siebert science. (2024). The lymphatic system[video].
https://youtube.com/@siebertscience?si=oWe6WYF-vTsS359V

Armstrong, R. (2000). The Gray’s Anatomy. New York: Serpent’s Tail.

Wilson, K. And Waugh, A. (2014). Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology
in Health and illness, New York: Churchill Livingstone. 12th edition.