A Simple Guide to Lymphatic System and Lymphatic Diseases (A

A Simple Guide to Lymphatic System and Lymphatic Diseases (A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions)

The lymphatic system is made up of

A. Lymph circulatory system consisting of lymph ducts which mirror the circulation of the blood throughout the body. The tissue fluids in these ducts (called lymph vessels) carry nutritive substances to the tissue cells and take away their waste products. The fluids which enter the lymph ducts and vessels are called lymph.

Unlike the blood which is propelled by the heart these fluids are not pumped through the ducts. They are propelled by differences in capillary pressure, muscle action, intestinal movement and other sources of pressure.

Lymph flows through the lymph vessels into the blood stream.

The two main ducts are:
1. the thoracic duct which extend from the abdomen through the diaphragm thorax and neck into the left subclavian vein in the neck

2. the right lymphatic duct which is a short duct ending in the right subclavian vein in the neck

The lymph ducts resemble veins but have numerous valves and glands (nodes) which filter the lymph clearing it of bacteria, arresting carbon particles and malignant cells.

B. The lymphoid tissue which is primarily involved in immune responses and consists of lymphocytes and other white blood cells enmeshed in connective tissue through which the lymph passes.

Regions of the lymphoid tissue that are densely packed with lymphocytes are known as lymphoid follicles. Lymphoid tissue can either be structurally well organized as

1. lymph nodes

2. loosely organized lymphoid follicles known as the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT).

1. Lymph Nodes

The nodes are present in groups in the head, face, neck, thoracic region, armpits, groins, lower limbs and pelvic and abdominal regions.

Inadequate drainage of lymph results in swelling or edema in the tissue spaces.

Infections and malignant cells may spread along lymph vessels.

The nodes also help to manufacture the white blood cells (the lymphocytes and monocytes).

2. Lymphoid tissue

Lymphoid tissue has immune functions in defending the body against the infections and spread of tumors.

It consists of connective tissue with various types of white blood cells the most numerous being the lymphocytes.

The lymphoid tissue may be primary, secondary, or tertiary depending upon the stage of lymphocyte development:

a. Primary lymphoid organs
The central or primary lymphoid organs produce lymphocytes from immature blood cells.
The thymus and the bone marrow constitute the primary lymphoid tissues involved in the production and early selection of lymphocytes.

b. Secondary lymphoid organs
Secondary lymphoid organs maintain mature lymphocytes and produce an immune response.
These lymphoid organs are the sites of lymphocyte activation by antigen.
Once activated the mature lymphocytes move between the blood and the peripheral lymphoid organs until they encounter their specific antigen.
Secondary lymphoid tissue allows the antigens to interact with the lymphocytes.
Examples are the lymph nodes, and the lymphoid follicles in tonsils, Peyer's patches, spleen, adenoids, skin, etc. that are associated with the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT).

c. Tertiary Lymphoid Tissue
The tertiary lymphoid tissue typically contains far fewer lymphocytes, and acts only when challenged with antigens that result in inflammation.

It achieves this by importing the lymphocytes from blood and lymph.

The spleen is the largest lymph organ and is located below the left side of the diaphragm and behind the fundus of the stomach.
It forms blood cells, filter injurious substances from the blood, stores iron for manufacture of the hemoglobin, stores blood and produce antibodies against bacteria.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter 1 The Lymphatic System

Chapter 2 Lymphadenitis

Chapter 3 Lymphedema

Chapter 4 Lymphomas

Chapter 5 Elephantiasis (Filariasis)

Chapter 6 Epilogue
Country USA
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2012-11-15
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2012-11-15
Format	Kindle eBook

A Simple Guide to Lymphatic System and Lymphatic Diseases (A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions)

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