Lymphatic System

Question 1

Which other systems is the lymphatic system closely associated with?

Answer 1

Immune system and circulatory system

Question 2

How is tissue fluid formed?

Answer 2

Blood is under high pressure in the arteries and causes some fluid to be forced out (tissue fluid) at the capillaries

Question 3

How is tissue fluid absorbed back into the blood stream?

Answer 3

• 90% is absorbed back in at the blood capillaries (90%)
• 10% enters lymph vessels and are returned back in at the subclavian veins in the shoulder

Question 4

What are the differences between tissue fluid and blood?

Answer 4

Tissue Fluid:
* No red blood cells
* No platelets
* No clotting proteins (too big)
* Small amounts of white blood cells

Blood:
* Red blood cells
* Platelets
* Clotting proteins
* More white blood cells

Question 5

Describe the structure of lymph vessels

Answer 5

Narrow, dead-ending tubes. They have valves

Question 6

What is the function of lymph vessels?

Answer 6

Transport lymph

Question 7

Where are lymph vessels found?

Answer 7

Every tissue and organ in the body

Question 8

What is lymph?

Answer 8

Clear liquid that is collected from around cells and is transported by the lymphatic system back to the bloodstream

Question 9

How is lymph moved?

Answer 9

Muscular walls of vessels, general bodily movements, valves

Question 10

What are lymph nodes?

Answer 10

Small swellings of the lymphatic system that contain many white blood cells

Question 11

Where are lymph nodes found?

Answer 11

In clusters at tonsils, adenoids, neck, armpit, thymus, spleen, and groin

Question 12

What do swollen lymph nodes indicate?

Answer 12

Infection

Question 13

What are the functions of lymph nodes?

Answer 13

• Mature and store white blood cells (lymphocytes)
• Filter lymph removing bacteria, viruses, abnormal cells, and cell debris

Question 14

What are some parts of the lymphatic system?

Answer 14

• Lymph vessels
• Lymph
• Lymph nodes

Question 15

What are some associated organs of the lymphatic system?

Answer 15

Spleen, thymus, adenoids, tonsils

Question 16

Where is the spleen located?

Answer 16

Just left of the stomach

Question 17

What is the function of the spleen?

Answer 17

• Stores lymphocytes
• Filters out bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells
• Breaks down old red blood cells
• Recycles iron

Question 18

Where is the thymus located?

Answer 18

Just in front of the heart and underneath the sternum

Question 19

What is the function of the thymus?

Answer 19

• Matures lymphocytes

Question 20

Where are the adenoids located?

Answer 20

Back of the nasal cavity

Question 21

Where are the tonsils located?

Answer 21

Back of the mouth on either side

Question 22

What is the function of the adenoids and the tonsils?

Answer 22

Producing lymphocytes during an infection

Question 23

What are some functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 23

• Collects tissue fluid (extracellular fluid) and returns it to the bloodstream at the subclavian veins
• Defends against infection
  
  • Lymph nodes filter lymph removing bacteria, viruses, abnormal cells, and cell debris
  • Maturation and storing of lymphocytes
• Absorbs fat from the small intestine
  
  • Lymph is found in lacteal (in the villi of the small intestine)