Anatomy &

Physiology
of
Lymphatic
System
 Learning Objectives
• Explain the structure of lymphatic system.
• Describe the functions of lymph vessels, lymph
nodes and lymph circulation.
• Discuss the lymphatic tissue, spleen and thymus.
 INTRODUCTION
• The lymphatic system is the system of vessels, cells and
organs that carries excess fluids to the bloodstream and
filters pathogens from the blood.
• It is a network of tissues, organs and vessels that help to
maintain the body’s fluid balance & protect it from
pathogens.
• It consists of
• lymphatic vessels,
• lymph nodes,
• Lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus, tonsils, and other organs)
• Without the lymphatic system, neither the circulatory
system nor the immune system would function.
• It can be thought of as an accessory to the
circulatory system.
• It helps the circulatory system to do its job.
• The two systems are directly connected
together.
• It consists of fluid derived from plasma
which is known as lymph and white blood
cells (especially lymphocytes and
macrophages (monocytes).
• The lymph travels in only one direction - it
doesn’t circulate.
 GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Returns Fluid from Tissues to Blood :
• 85% of fluids that leak out of blood returns to
blood via blood capillaries, 15%returns via
lymph capillaries. The lymphatics return of
fluid in 24 hours is equivalent to entire blood
volume .
• If lymphatic system becomes blocked edema.
Returns Large Molecules to Blood:
• 25-50% of blood proteins leak out of capillaries
each day and they cannot get back into capillaries,
instead lymphatic capillaries pick them up and
return them to the blood. If lymphatics are blocked
blood protein decreases leading to fluid
imbalances in body.
Absorb and Transport Fats :
• Lymphatic capillaries (lacteals) in villi of small
intestine absorb all lipids and fat soluble vitamins
from digested food bypasses liver much goes
straight to adipose tissues.
Hemopoiesis :
• WBC’s like (lymphocytes, monocytes) are made
in lymphatic tissues (not bone marrow) which is
the main supply of lymphocytes.
Body Defense/Immunity:
• lymphoid tissue is an important component of the
Immune System (forms a diffuse surveillance
defense system in all body tissues and organs.
• The major role of WBC’s is in body defense.
• lymphatic system screens body fluids and removes
pathogens and damaged cells.
 STRUCTURE OF LYPHMPATIC
SYSTEM
• Lymph
• Lymphatic Vessels
– Lymphatic Capillaries
– Lymphatic Vessels
– Lymphatic Trunks
– Lymphatic Ducts
• Lymphatic Organs
– Thymus
– Lymph Nodes
– Spleen
– Tonsils
• Lymphatic cells
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM PATHWAY
Lymphatic Capillary

Lymphatic Vessel

Lymph Node

Lymphatic Vessel

Lymphatic trunk

Collecting Duct
 LYMPH

• Lymph is a clear watery fluid that resembles

blood plasma but has fewer proteins and its
composition varies depending on organs
that it drains.
• The lymphatic system handles 125 ml/hour
(2500-2800 ml of lymph/day) 1/2 of this
from the liver and small intestine alone.
 LYMPHATIC CAPILLARIES
• Lymphatic Capillaries originate in tissues as tiny blind
ended sacs.
• Lie side by side with blood capillaries.
• Single layer of endothelial cells like blood capillaries.
• But much more permeable to solvents, and large solutes
and whole cells.
• Absent from avascular structures, brain, spinal cord,
splenic pulp and bone marrow.
 Lymphatic Capillaries – Lacteals
• The small intestine contains special types of
lymphatic capillaries called lacteals.

• Lacteals pick up not only interstitial fluid,

but also dietary lipids and lipid-soluble
vitamins.

• The lymph of this area has a milky color

due to the lipid and is also called chyle.
 Lymphatic Vessels
• These small lymphatic capillaries which merge with
others to form larger lymphatic vessels.
• They resemble veins in structure.
• It has three layers – but much thinner than veins.
• 1-way valves are present, many in number (every few
mm or so).
• It has lymph nodes at intervals along its course, as they
converge they become larger and larger
• They are arranged in superficial and deep sets.
 Lymph Trunks
The structures of the lymph trunks are:
• Right and left jugular trunks
• Right and left subclavian trunks
• Right and left Broncho mediastinal
trunks
• Right and left lumbar trunks
• Intestinal trunk
 Lymphatic Ducts
Lymphatic Ducts:
• The lymphatic trunks merge together to form two
major Lymphatic Ducts
• It is equivalent to a major vessels of circulatory
system but more like veins than arteries.
• Two major Lymphatic Ducts:
Right Lymphatic Duct: it is a very short drain.
• Formed by union of right jugular, subclavian, and
bronchomediastinal trunks.
• Ends by entering the the right venous angle.
Thoracic Duct:
• Begins in front of L1 as a dilated sac, the cisterna
chyli, which is formed by left and right lumbar
trunks and intestinal trunk.
• It enters the thoracic cavity & ascends and travels
upward, veering to the left at the level of T5.
• At the root of the neck, it turns laterally and
arches forwards and descends to enter the left
venous angle, before termination.
• It receives the left jugular, Subclavian and
bronchomediastinal trunk.
• it is much larger and longer.
• It drains the rest of body (i.e. 3/4ths): all of body below
diaphragm and left arm and left side of head, neck and
thorax begins just below the diaphragm, anterior to
vertebral column lumbar trunks and intestinal trunk join
to form saclike cysterna chyli drains into left subclavian
vein.
 DRAINAGE PATTERN
• RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT:
Receives lymph from right half of head, neck,
thorax and right upper limb, right lung, right side of
heart, right surface of liver.
• THORACIC DUCT :
Drains lymph from lower limbs, pelvic cavity,
abdominal cavity, left side of thorax, and left side of
the head, neck and left upper limb.
 LYMPHATIC CELLS
• It is also called lymphoid cells.
• It is located in both the lymphatic system and the
cardiovascular system.
• Works together to elicit an immune response.
• Types of lymphatic cells are:
– macrophages
– epithelial cells
– dendritic cells
– lymphocytes
 LYMPHATIC CIRCULATION
Flow of Lymph:
• fluid pressure in lymphatic system is very low, as in veins
• Vessels contract rhythmically direction of flow is
maintained by one way valves.
• The body movements and pulsing of arteries help to
move lymph along the circulation.
• Many vessels are wrapped in connective tissue with
arteries: the pulsing of the arteries also helps move lymph
along the body.
 Lymph Circulation

• Lymph vessels are thin walled, valved structures that carry

lymph
• Lymph is not under pressure and is propelled in a passive
fashion
• Fluid that leaks from the vascular system is returned to
general circulation via lymphatic vessels.
• Lymph vessels act as a reservoir for plasma and other
substances including cells that leaked from the vascular
system.
• The lymphatic system provides a one-way route
for movement of interstitial fluid to the
cardiovascular system.
• Lymph returns the excess fluid filtered from the
blood vessel capillaries, as well as the protein that
leaks out of the blood vessel capillaries.
• Lymph flow is driven mainly by contraction of
smooth muscle in the lymphatic vessels but also
by the skeletal-muscle pump and the respiratory
pump.
LYMPH CIRCULATION FLOW CHART

Interstitial fluid → Lymph → Lymph

capillary → Afferent lymph vessel →
Lymph node → Efferent lymph vessel →
Lymph trunk → Lymph duct {Right
lymphatic duct and Thoracic duct (left
side)} →Subclavian vein (right and left) →
Blood → Interstitial fluid
 LYMPH NODES
• Small, round or oval
• It is located along the pathways of lymph vessels.
• The length is from 1 - 25 millimeters
• Typically found in clusters
• It receives lymph from many body regions.
• Lymph nodes are also found individually
throughout the body tissues.
Features of Lymph Nodes:
 Bean-shaped bodies
 With afferent vessels (entering at the periphery)
and efferent lymph vessels(emerging at the hilus)
 Arranged in groups, along the blood vessels or the
flexural side of the joint.
 Divided into superficial and deep groups.
 Regional Lymph drainage

Regional Lymph Node: is

the lymph node where the
lymph of the organ or part of
the body first drains into that
part.
 Functions of lymph nodes
• Cleanse lymph - as lymph flows through sinuses of node
it slows down and microorganisms and foreign matter are
removed.
• Alert immune system to pathogens.
• Important in Hemopoiesis - lymphocytes and monocytes
are made here
• Lymph moves into nodes by way of several afferent
lymphatic vessels
• Moves through sinus channels lined with phagocytic white
blood cells.
• Exits via 1-3 efferent lymph vessels
• The WBC’s in each node remove ~99% of impurities as
lymph passes from node to node virtually all impurities
are normally removed
• Lymph nodes are widespread in body but most occur in
groups or clusters:
• Eg. submental & submaxillary lymph nodes floor of
mouth; drain nose, lips teeth
• Eg. cervical lymph nodes neck drain neck and head
• Eg. axillary lymph nodes armpit (axilla) and upper chest
drains arm and upper thorax including breasts
• Breasts contains 2 sets of lymphatics: (NOT mammary
glands) those that drain the skin over breast excluding the
areola and nipple those that originate in and drain deeper
portions of breast and skin of areola and nipple.
• Numerous connections join the lymphatic systems of the
breast with: the other breast axillary nodes
• (85% of lymph from breast enters them)
• Abdominal nodes
Eg. inguinal lymph nodes in groin area drain legs and
genitals
 LYMPHATIC NODULES
• Oval clusters of lymphatic cells with some extracellular
matrix that are not surrounded by a connective tissue
capsule.

• Filter and attack antigens.

• In some areas of the body, many lymphatic nodules

group together to form larger structures.
– mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) or
tonsils
– very prominent in the mucosa of the small intestine,
primarily in the ileum
• Peyer’s patches
– also present in the appendix.
 LYMPHATIC ORGANS
• Primary organs
– Red bone marrow
– Thymus gland

• Secondary organs
– Lymph nodes
– Lymph nodules
– Spleen
MAJOR ACCESSORY LYMPHATIC
ORGANS
 SPLEEN
 Location
 Left epigastric region
 between 9th-11th rib
 in line of 10th rib
• Largest lymphatic organ in the body.
• Can vary considerably in size and weight.
• Largest of the lymphatic organs
• Located below diaphragm in left hypochondriac
region
• Ovoid in shape
• Inside is a network of interlacing fibers: red pulp
packed with RBC’s white pulp crowded with
lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils
 Functions of Spleen
• Defense helps screen blood and removes pathogens and
bacteria.
• Hemopoiesis monocytes and lymphocytes are made here
(before birth, RBC’s also made here)
• Erythrocyte and platelet destruction.
• Spleen is “erythrocyte graveyard” iron is salvaged from
RBC’s 4. blood reservoir able to store blood (~350ml) can
constrict and pump blood into circulatory system if
hemorrhaging = self transfusion (can squirt 200 ml into
blood in <1minute) also, helps stabilize blood volume by
transferring excess plasma from blood to lymphatic
system.
 THYMUS
Features:
Consists of two elongated lobes
Is a large organ in the fetus
Occupies the thoracic cavity behind the sternum
Secrete lymphopoietin.
• Is single unpaired organ in the mediastinum and neck
region
• Plays a vital role in initial set up of body’s immune
system source of lymphocytes before birth which
circulate to spleen, nodes and vessels soon after birth it
secretes a hormone that causes lymphocytes to develop
into plasma cells.
• Primary function is in early life.
• Degeneration happens and it seems to complete by end of
the childhood.
• It is the largest when young, especially puberty.
• It gets smaller and is replaced with fat.
• Secretes thymosin and thymopoietin which causes T
lymphocytes to become immunocompetent.
• Lacks B cells (no follicles)
• Atrophies with age: prominent in newborns, stops growth
by adolescence, degenerates by old age.
 MALT

• MALT — mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue:

• Peyer’s patches, tonsils, and the appendix (digestive tract)
• Lymphoid nodules in the walls of the bronchi (respiratory
tract)
• MALT protects the digestive and respiratory systems from
foreign matter.
• MALT are positioned to:
• Destroy bacteria that breach the mucosal membrane from
outside.
• It develops “memory” lymphocytes for long term
immunity
 TONSILS
• Masses of lymphoidal tissue embedded in mucous
membranes of pharynx
• Covered by epithelium, with deep pits(=crypts)
• Crypts often contain food debris, bacteria, dead wbc’s etc
• Three main sets of tonsils:
• Pharyngeal tonsils (=adenoids) on wall of pharynx
behind nasal cavity
• Palatine tonsils at post margin of oral cavity largest and
most often infected known as tonsilitis usually
Streptococcus and usually treated with antibiotics
• Lingual tonsils on each side of root of tongue.
• Not encapsulated
• Blind pouches – crypts
bacteria can enter
induced immune response
 Peyer’s Patches

• Small masses of lymphatic tissue found

throughout ileum region of small intestine.
• Roughly egg-shaped lymphatic tissue nodules that
are similar to lymph nodes in structure.
• Analyze and respond to pathogenic microbes in
the ileum.
 Appendix

• The location of the appendix is close to the junction of the

large intestine and the small intestine.
• Most researchers agree that it has a minor role in immune
function – store good bacteria
• Blockage of the appendix can lead to appendicitis, a type
of inflammation that is painful and potentially deadly if it
bursts it releases dangerous bacteria into the abdominal
cavity.
• Treated by surgical removal of the appendix.
 QUESTION. 1

• Name the structures labelled A-E.

 QUESTION. 2

• I am a part of the lymphatic system and protect

the body by clearing worn out red cells and
foreign bodies from the blood stream. Who am I?

A. Thymus
B. Palatine
Tonsil
C. Spleen
 QUESTION 3
Which is the correct statement about the
Lymphatic system?

A. It Reabsorbs excess interstitial fluid and

returns it to the venous circulation.

B. Transports dietary lipids through lacteals.

C. Helps in lymphocyte development, and the immune

response.

D. All of the above

 QUESTION 4
• Which of these is a primary lymphoid organ ?
A. Lymph Node
B. Spleen
C. Tonsil
D. Bone Marrow