The Lymphatic System
Lymphatic System – Introduction
• Accessory route for fluid from interstitial spaces to blood
• Lymphatics carry proteins and large particulate matter from tissue spaces, which can not be
absorbed from capillaries
• Return of proteins in the blood is an important function.
• Almost all tissues have lymph channels that drain excess fluid from interstitial spaces
• Components
• Lymph is the fluid
• Vessels – lymphatics
• Structures & organs
• Functions
• Return tissue fluid to the bloodstream
• Transport fats from the digestive tract to the bloodstream
• Defense mechanisms
Spleen
• Filters blood of bacteria, viruses and other debris
• Destroys worn out blood cells. It then returns (or recycles) some of the breakdown
products of RBCs to the liver
• Another function: Stores platelets and acts as a blood reservoir.
• Lymphocytes are produced; RBCs also made in fetus.
Thymus
• Located in the chest, behind the breastbone.
• Produces and matures T-cells, which are essential for immunity.
• Most active in childhood, shrinks after puberty.
• Key role: Trains immune cells to recognize and attack foreign invaders.
Cisterna Chyli
• A large lymphatic sac found in the abdomen.
• Collects lymph from the lower body and intestines.
• Drains lymph into the thoracic duct, which then returns it to the bloodstream.
• Important for lymph transport and fat absorption.
Lymphatics
Lymph vessels
• Originate as lymph capillaries. Capillaries unite to form larger vessels.
• Drain lymph into venous system at the junction of subclavian vein and internal jugular vein.
Resemble veins in structure
• Connect to lymph nodes at various intervals
• Lymphatics ultimately deliver lymph into 2 main channels
• Thoracic duct: lymph from lower parts of body, left arm, left side of head emptied into thoracic
duct, largest lymphatic duct. Drains the rest of the body. Empties into the left subclavian vein
• Right lymph duct: lymph from right side of neck, head, right thorax enters into right lymph duct.
Drains right side of head & neck, right arm, right thorax. Empties into the right subclavian vein
Capillary and Lymphatic Circulation
Arteries Veins
Arterial end of capillaries Venous end of capillaries
90 % fluid
Flow through cells
10 % fluid
Terminal lymphatics
Lymphatics
Lymph nodes Thoracic ducts
Lymph Capillaries
Lymphatic Vessels
The Lymph
• Contents substances of high molecular weight those could be absorbed through
capillaries
• Composition like blood plasma
• Lymphocytes
• Proteins
• Interstitial fluid (2 g/dl)
• Liver (6 g/dl)
• Intestines (4 g/dl)
• Fat (absorbed from digestive system – high in triglycerides)
Composition of Lymph
• Lymph is usually a clear, colorless fluid, similar to blood plasma but low is protein
• Its composition varies according to site; after a meal, for example, lymph draining from the small
intestine, takes on a milky appearance, due to lipid content.
• Lymph may contain macrophages, viruses, bacteria, cellular debris and even traveling cancer
cells.
Composition of Lymph
• Proteins (2-6 % of solids)
• Albumin, Globulin, Fibrinogen, Prothrombin, Antibodies, Enzymes
• Amino acids
• Lipids (5-15 % solids)
• Chylomicrons, Lipoproteins
• Carbohydrate (Glucose 120 mg %)
• Non-protein nitrogenous substances (urea, creatinine)
• Inorganic substances
• Lower than plasma - Na, Ca, K
• Higher than plasma - Chlorides, bicarbonates
• Cellular contents – Lymphocytes (1000 to 2000 cmm), monocytes,
macrophages, plasma cells
Quantity of Lymph
• 120 ml per hour
• 100 ml through thoracic duct
• 20 ml in other channels
• 2 – 3 liters per day
Lymph nodes
• Lymph passes through the lymph nodes
• 450-600 in number
• Variation in size (from 0.1 to 2.5 cm)
• Mostly in trunk
• Lymph nodes
• Meshwork of sinuses lined by tissue
macrophages
• Entry of other particles and bacteria
etc prevented in blood circulation
• Foreign particles get trapped in nodes
Lymph Nodes
1. Oval structures located along
lymphatics
2. Enclosed by a fibrous capsule
3. Cortex = outer portion
1. Germinal centers produce
lymphocytes
4. Medulla = inner portion,
contains B and T lymphocytes.
5. Lymph enters nodes through
afferent lymphatics, flows
through sinuses, exits through
efferent lymphatic
Lymph Node Structure
• Most are kidney-shaped, less
than 1 inch long
• Cortex
• Outer part
• Contains follicles collections
of lymphocytes
• Medulla
• Inner part
• Contains phagocytic
macrophages
Anatomy of a Lymph Node
• Fluid enters afferent
vessels
• Exists efferent vessels
• Germinal center of
follicle – These enlarge
during time of plasma
cell production (B Cells)
• Medulla- Phagocytes
are located here
Lymphatic pumps
• Lymphatic capillaries lined by endothelial cell layers which actually
acts as valves
• Lymphatics have valves throughout their course, valve act as pumps
• Lymph is propelled upwards via contraction of lymphatic segments
• Other mechanisms: Contraction of skeletal muscles, movement of
body, pulsations of arteries, compression by surrounding tissue
Interstitial proteins and pressure
• Small amount of protein continuously gets leaked through capillaries
• Proteins accumulate in interstitial spaces resulting increase in osmotic
pressure
• Fluid filtration in interstitium is facilitated increases interstitial fluid
volume and pressure
• Increased interstitial pressures increases rate of lymph flow
Key Pressures - Governing Capillary
Fluid Exchange
1. Capillary Plasma Oncotic Pressure
• Refers to the osmotic pressure generated by plasma proteins within the capillary.
• Draws water into the capillary from the interstitial space.
• Example: Albumin in blood creates oncotic pressure, pulling fluid back into capillaries.
2. Tissue (Interstitial) Oncotic Pressure
• Osmotic pressure caused by proteins present in the interstitial fluid.
• Pulls water out of the capillaries into tissues if increased.
• Example: Protein leakage during inflammation raises tissue oncotic pressure, leading to edema.
3. Capillary Hydrostatic Pressure
• The pressure exerted by blood on the capillary walls.
• Pushes fluid out of the capillary into the interstitial space, highest at the arterial end.
• Example: Elevated blood pressure increases this pressure, promoting fluid filtration and possible swelling.
4. Tissue (Interstitial) Pressure
• Hydrostatic pressure in the interstitial fluid.
• Determined by the volume of fluid present and tissue compliance; higher pressure can resist further fluid movement
out of capillaries.
• Example: Accumulated interstitial fluid (edema) increases tissue pressure, limiting more fluid exit.
Lymph Tissue
There are 3 types of lymphatic tissues:
A. Diffuse lymphatic tissue:
1. Lacks a surrounding capsule.
2. Distributed within the connective tissue of almost all organs.
Example: Found in the mucosa of respiratory and digestive tracts offering immune defense.
B. Lymphatic nodules:
1. Also lack a capsule.
2. Oval-shaped masses found singly or in clusters.
Example: Tonsils and Peyer's patches in the intestines are lymphatic nodules providing
localized immune response.
C. Lymphatic organs:
1. Encapsulated structures.
2. Includes lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland.
These organs have defined boundaries and specialized immune functions.
Classification of lymphoid
organs
Primary lymphoid organs: Secondary lymphoid organs:
• No direct antigen contact occurs here. • sites where mature lymphocytes are
activated by encountering antigens.
• Do not initiate immune responses.
• Serve as filters for lymph, blood, and tissue
• Undergo age-related atrophy. fluids, and provide a platform for antigen
Bone marrow: Site for production exposure and immune cell interaction.
and maturation of B cells and T cell • Initiate and coordinate immune responses.
precursors. • Expand in size with age rather than atrophy.
Thymus: Responsible for maturation Spleen: Filters blood, removes old red
of T cells. cells, and mounts immune responses.
Lymph nodes: Filter lymph, trap
pathogens, and facilitate interaction
between immune cells.
Lymphatic Organs
• A Lymph Node- Important lymphocytes of the immune response are
matured here.
• Spleen: destroys RBCs and reservoir of blood; it is the largest lymph
organ and it filter blood of bacteria and antigen-filled cells.
• Thymus Gland-produces hormone, thymosin, functions in
programing lymphocytes T and B cells; T-cells matured here ( become
immunocompetent)
• Tonsils-Traps bacteria and other microbes in throat.
• Peyer’s Patch-capture and destroy bacteria in intestine, thereby
preventing them from penetrating the intestinal wall.
Waldeyer’s Ring
Waldeyer’s Ring
• Multiple groups of large lymphatic nodules
• Location – mucous membrane of the oral and pharyngeal
cavities
• Palatine tonsils
• Posterior-lateral walls of the oropharynx
• Pharyngeal tonsil
• Posterior wall of nasopharynx
• Tubal tonsils
• Openings of Eustachian tube
• Lingual tonsils
• Base of tongue
Functions of Lymphatic System
• Absorption –
• fatty acids and fats (chyle)
• Immune functions – WBC transport
• Antigen-presenting cells, to the lymph nodes where an
immune response is stimulated.
• Interstitial fluid pressure
• removal of interstitial fluid from tissues
• concentration of proteins in interstitial fluids
• maintain volume and pressure of interstitial fluids
Edema
• Edema is the abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid within tissue
spaces.
• It develops when capillary filtration exceeds lymphatic drainage.
• Major causes include increased capillary hydrostatic pressure,
reduced plasma oncotic pressure, enhanced capillary permeability,
and lymphatic obstruction.
• These changes disrupt fluid homeostasis, leading to tissue swelling.
• Edema interferes with normal exchange of nutrients, gases, and
metabolites between blood and tissues.
Lymphadenitis
• Infection of the lymph nodes.
• Common complication of certain bacterial infections
• Lymphadenitis occurs when the glands become enlarged by swelling
(inflammation), usually in response to bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
• Swollen glands are usually found near the site of an infection, tumor,
or inflammation
Filariasis
• Lymphatic filariasis – parasitic disease
caused by microscopic, thread-like
worms, marked by severe swelling in the
arms, legs, breasts, or genitals
• Wuchereria bancrofti transmitted by
bites from infected mosquitoes
• Parasite infects the lymph nodes and
blocks the flow of lymph
