ANATOMY AND

PHYSIOLOGY OF
THE LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM
 HOMEOSTASIS
• Defined as a stable
condition of an
organism and its
internal environment.
• The maintenance or
regulation of the stable
conditions, or its
equilibrium.
• The balance of bodily
functions.
 IMMUNE SYSTEM
VS
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
 IMMUNE SYSTEM
• It is not an organ
system, but a
population of cells that
inhabit all of our
organs and defend the
body from agents of
disease
• Immune cells are
specially concentrated
in a true organ system,
the lymphatic system
 LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
• A true organ system
• Composed of a
network of vessels
that penetrate
nearly every tissue
of the body and a
collection of tissue
and organs that
produce immune
cells.
WHATS THE
DIFFERENCE?
 WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?
IMMUNE SYSTEM LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
- protect the - works with the
body against: immune system to
BACTERIA remove disease
VIRUSES causing agents.
- composed of:
FUNGI LYMPH
TOXINS LYMPHATIC ORGANS
PARASITES LYMPHATIC VESSELS
CANCER
 FUNCTIONS
•Fluid balance
•Fat absorptions
•Immunological defense
 FUNCTION
FLUID BALANCE
• Reabsorbs excess
interstitial fluid.
• Returns it to the
venous circulation
• Maintains blood
volume levels
• Prevents interstitial
fluid from rising out of
control.
 FUNCTION
FAT ABSORPTION
• Trasported through
lacteals
 FUNCTION
IMMUNULOGICAL DEFENSE
• Lymphocyte
development.
• The immune
response.
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM COMPOSITION
• Lymph
• Lymphatic vessels
• Lymphatic organs
• Lymphatic cells
LYMPH
 COMPOSITION
LYMPH
• Created when blood
plasma leaks out of
the capillary.
• Clear watery fluid.
• Carries pathogens
through the lymphatic
vessel through the
lymph nodes for
filtering.
LYMPH FLUID COMPOSITION
• Proteins
• Water
• Waste products and other foreign
substances.
• Fat ( intestinal lymph called CHYLE
)
 VOCABULARY MINUTE!!
CHYLE
• A milky fluid consisting of
fat droplets and lymph.
• It drains from lacteals of
small intestine into the
lymphatic system during
digestion.
 FACT NA FACT!!
You have about five and a half gallons of
lymph fuid inside you..... You have as
much lymph fluid than blood.
LYMPHATIC
VESSELS
 COMPOSITION
LYMPHATIC VESSELS
• Absorbs interstitial
fluid and transport it
into the venous
circulation.
LYMPHATIC VESSELS
SUBDIVISIONS
- Subdivided into:
1. CAPILLARIES
2. PRE-COLLECTORS
3. COLLECTORS
4. TRUNKS AND DUCTS
 SUBDIVISIONS
LYMPH CAPILLARIES
• Absorbs INTERSTITIAL
FLUID.
• Larger than blood
capillaries.
• Adapted to ensure the
absorption of large
molecules.
• No VALVES inside
THE LYMPH CAPILLARY AND BLOOD CAPILLARY LOOP

1. Arterial side of the

blood capillary
2. Venous side of the
blood capillary
3. Lymph capillary
4. Open junction "
SWINGING FLAPS "
5. FIBROCYTE
6. ANCHORING
FILAMENTS
7. INTERSTITIAL SPACE
THE OPENING MECHANISM OF THE LYMPH CAPILLARY

a) The initial lymph vessel

is empty and collapsed
b) Filling space
c) The initial lymph vessel
is filled with lymph.
d) Lymph flows towards
tha PRE-COLLECTORS.
 SUBDIVISIONS
PRE-COLLECTORS
• Channel the lymph into
larger transporting vessels
• Possess absorbing
functions for fluid like the
capillaries.
• In some areas resemble
transporting vessels
containing smooth muscle
cells and valves.
 SUBDIVISIONS
COLLECTORS
• Resemble veins but have
thinner walls valves in
shorter intervals.
• The section of the
collector between a distal
and a proximal valve is
called LYMPHANGION.
 COLLECTORS
LAYERS
• TUNICA INTIMA ( INNER
LAYER )
• TUNICA MEDIA ( MIDDLE
LAYER )
• TUNICA EXTERNA (
EXTERNAL LAYER )
 LAYERS
• TUNICA INTIMA ( INNER LAYER ) - composed of
ENDOTHELIAL CELLS and BASAL
• TUNICA MEDIA ( MIDDLE LAYER )- composed of
SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS
• TUNICA EXTERNA ( EXTERNAL LAYER )- made of
SOFT COLLAGENOUS CONNECTIVE TISSUE
 COLLECTORS
LYMPHANGION
• The smallest functional
unit of the lymph
collectors.
• Bordered by a distal and
proximal valve.
• The section of the
collector between a distal
and a proximal valve.
 LYMPHANGION
STRUCTURE
A. Arrangement of musculature
B. Normal function
C. Dilated lymph vessel with
valvular insufficiency and reflux.

1. Lymphangion
2. Contracted segment (
emptying phase )
3. Relaxed segment ( filling
phase )
LYMPHANGION
EXTRINSIC CONTRACTIONS
-facilitated by:
1. BREATHING
2. MUSCLE MOVEMENT
3. EXTERNAL COMPRESSION
 SUBDIVISIONS
LYMPHATIC TRUNKS AND DUCTS
• Are the largest vessel
• TRUNKS collects fluid
from the organs, the
extremities and the
related quadrants of the
trunk.
• DUCTS eventually
transport approximately 4
liters of lymph into the
venous circulation.
RIGHT AND LEFT VENOUS ANGLE
1, 1a- Internal jugular
vein
2, 2a- Subclavian vein
3- Superior vena cava
4- Thoracic duct
5- Right lymphatic
duct
LYMPHATIC
ORGANS
 COMPOSITION
LYMPHATIC ORGANS
• Categorized into 2
subdivisions:
1. PRIMARY ORGANS
2. SECONDARY ORGANS
 LYMPHATIC ORGAN
PRIMARY ORGANS
-Site wherein T and B cells
becomes
immunocompetent and
mature, mainly:
1. RED BONE MARROW
2. THYMUS GLAND
 LYMPHATIC ORGAN
SECONDARY ORGANS
-IMMUNOCOMPETENT
CELLS populate these
tissues, mainly:
1. LYMPH NODES
2. TONSILS
3. SPLEEN
PRIMARY
ORGANS
 PRIMARY ORGAN
RED BONE MARROW
• A highly vascular tissue
found in the spaces
between trabeculae of
spongy bone.
• Mostly found in the ends
of long bone and in the
flatbones of the body.
• All of the leukocytes or
white blood cells in the
immune system are
produced by bone marrow
 PRIMARY ORGAN
THYMUS
• A little organ that sits
right above your heart.
• It is in the thymus that
T-cells which target
pathogens and
infections mature and
become specialized.
• Produces and trains T-
cells during fetal
development.
 FACT NA FACT!!
An infant's thymus is
quite large: As you age
the thymus is replaced
by adipose tissue.
SECONDARY
ORGANS
 SECONDARY ORGAN
LYMPH NODES
• Filters the lymph that
passes through the vessel
and add lymphocytes to it.
• The reticular fibers
consisting it acts as a net to
catch any debri or cells that
are present to the lymph.
• Macrophages and
lymphocytes attack and kill
any microbes caught in
reticular fiber.
 LYMPH NODES
LOCATIONS
A. CERVICAL ( HEAD AND
NECK ) LYMPH NODES
B. DEEP CERVICAL LYMPH
NODES
C. AXILLARY LYMPH NODES
D. INGUINAL LYMPH NODES
 LYMPH NODES
LOCATIONS
1. Occipital lymph nodes - occipital
region and upper part of the skin
of the neck.
3 .Retroauricular lymph nodes -
parietal area ( posterior auricle.
4. Preauricular / parotid lymph
nodes- forehead, upper eyelid and
lateral part of the lower eyelid
( auricle ).
11. Submandibular lymph nodes -
nose, upper and lower lip, medial
part of the lower lid, cheek.
12. Submental lymph nodes - chin,
medial part of lower lip.
 LYMPH NODES
LOCATIONS
1. Internal jugular lymph
nodes
6. Lymph nodes
accompanying tha
accessory nerve
8. Supraclavicular lymph
nodes
 LYMPH NODES
LOCATIONS
1 + 2. Jugular lymph nodes

3. Subclavial trunk

4. Right lymphatic duct

5. Parasternal trunk

6. Lymph nodes ( interpectoral LN )

7.Parasternal lymph nodes

8. Prepericardic LN

9. Falciform ligament

10. Epigastric pathway

11. Rectus abdominis muscle

12. Liver

13. Paramammary lymph nodes

14. Premammary lymph nodes

15. Pectoral lymph nodes

16. Subscapular lymph nodes

17. Medial upper arm bundle

18. Deltoid bundle

19. Lateral axillary lymph nodes

20. Central axillary lymph nodes

21. Subpectoral lymph nodes

22. Infraclavicular lymph nodes

23. Supraclavicular lymph nodes

24. Brachial nerve plexus

 LYMPH NODES
LOCATIONS
1-2. Superficial inguinal
nodes
3. Deep inguinal nodes
4. Rosen mueller's nodes
5-10. Iliac nodes
LYMPH NODES
 FACT NA FACT!!
Overly large lymph
node are red flags for
doctors, usually
indicating an infection
or disease.
 SECONDARY ORGAN
TONSILS
• Contains many T and B
cells to protect the body
from inhaled or ingested
substances.
• It protects our throats
from plaque that we
swallow.
• Most people removed
them because they are
swollen.
 TONSIL
LOCATIONS
-There are 5 tonsils in the
body:
• 2- LINGUAL
• 2- PALATINE
• 1- PHARYNGEAL
 LOCATION
LINGUAL TONSIL
• Located at the
posterior root of the
tongue near thae
pharynx.
 LOCATION
PALATINE TONSIL
•Located in the
posterior region
of the mouth
near the
pharynx.
 LOCATION
PHARYNGEAL TONSIL
• Akso known as
ADENOID.
• Found in the
nasopharynx at the
posterior end of the
nasal cavity.
 SECONDARY ORGAN
SPLEEN
• The largest organ in the
lymphatic system.
• The spleen processes blood
and remove dead or
defective red blood cells
and keeps a reserve of
blood in case of
HEMORRHAGE
• Made up of dense fibrous
connective capsule filled
with regions known as RED
PULP and WHITE PULP.
 SPLEEN
RED PULP
• Makes up most of the
spleens mass.
• Contains reticular tissues
whose fibers filter worn
out or damaged red blood
cells from the blood.
• Macrophages in the red
pulp digest and recycle the
hemoglobin of the
captured RBC's.
 SPLEEN
WHITE PULP
• Found within the red pulp
surrounding the arterioles
of the skin.
• Made up of lymphatic
tissue and containing
many T cells,B cells and
macrophages to fight
infection.
SPLEEN
 OTHER
ORGANS
 OTHER ORGAN
PEYERS PATCH
• Are small masses of lymphatic
tissue found in the ileum of
the small intestine.
• Contains T and B cells that
monitor the contents of the
intestinal lumen for
pathogens.
• Once an antigen of a
pathogen are detected, the T
anf B cells spread and prepare
the body fight for a possible
infection.
 OTHER ORGAN
APPENDIX
• A narrow pouch of tissue
whose resemblance a worm
inspired its name
VERMIFORM ( worm-like) .
• The sub-mucosa of the
appendix contains many
masses of lymphoid tissue.
• The presence of lymphoid
tissue suggest that the
appendix may play a role in
immune system.
LYMPHATIC
CELLS
 COMPOSITION
LYMPHATIC CELLS
-Also known as
LEUKOCYTES.
-Broken down into 2 groups
based upon the type of
stem cells that produces
them, mainly:
1. MYELOID STEM CELLS
2. LYMPHOID STEM CELLS
 MYELOID
STEM CELLS
 LYMPHATIC CELLS
MYELOID STEM CELLS
-produces MONOCYTES
-Also produces the
GRANULAR LEUKOCYTE,
namely:
1. EOSINOPHILS
2. BASOPHILS
3. NEUTROPHILS
 MYELOID STEM CELLS
MONOCYTES
- Are AGRANULAR
LEUKOCYTES.
- Forms 2 types of cells,
namely:
1. MACROPHAGES
2. DENDRITIC CELLS
 MONOCYTES
MACROPHAGES
• Monocytes respond slowly to
infection and ones present at
the site of infection,
developing into macrophages.
• Are phagocytes able to
consume pathogens destroyed
cells,and debris by
phagocytes.
• Have role on both preventing
infection as well as cleaning
up the aftermath of an
infection.
 MONOCYTES
DENDRITIC CELLS
• Monocytes also developed
into dendritic cells in
healthy tissues of the skin
and mucus membranes.
• Responsible for the
detection of pathogenic
antigens which are used to
activate T cells and B cells.
 MYELOID STEM CELLS
GRANULAR LEUKOCYTES
- Produces leukocytes,
namely:
1.EOSINOPHILS
2. BASOPHILS
3. NEUTROPHILS
 GRANULAR LEUKOCYTES
EOSINOPHILS
• Are granular
leukocytes that
reduce allergic
inflammation.
• Helps the body
fights of
parasites.
 GRANULAR LEUKOCYTES
BASOPHILS
• Are granular leukocytes
that trigger inflammation
by releasing chemicals
HEPARIN and HISTAMINE.
• Active in producing
inflammation during
allergic reactions and
parasitic infections.
 GRANULAR LEUKOCYTES
NEUTROPHILS
• Are granular leukocytes that
acts as the first responders to
the site of infections.
• Uses CHEMOTAXIS to detect
chemicals produced by
infectious agents and quickly
move to the site of infection.
• Once their, neutrophils ingest
the pathogens via
PHAGOCYTOSIS and release
chemicals to trap and kill
pathogens.
 VOCABULARY MINUTE!!
CHEMOTAXIS
• After extravasation,
leukocytes emigrate in
tissue in the site of injury
by a process called
chemotaxis.
• Defined as locomotion
oriented along a chemical
gradient.
LYMPHOID
STEM CELLS
 LYMPHATIC CELLS
LYMPHOID STEM CELLS
- Also known as
LYMPHOCYTES.
-Produces leukocytes,
namely:
1. T- LYMPHOCYTES
2. B- LYMPHOCYTES
 SPECIAL LYMPHATIC CELL
NATURAL KILLER CELLS
• Also known as NK cells.
• Are lymphocytes that are
able to respond to a wide
range of pathogens and
cancerous cells.
• NK cells travel within the
blood and found in the
lymph nodes, spleen, and
red bone marrow where
they fight most type of
infections.
 LYMPHOID STEM CELL
B- LYMPHOCYTES
-Also known as B-cells.
-Producer of antibodies.
-After contact with a
pathogen, it forms:
1. PLASMA CELLS
2. MEMORY B-CELLS
 B- LYMPHOCYTES
PLASMA CELLS
• Becomes antibody
factories producing
thousands of
ANTIBODIES.
 VOCABULARY MINUTE!!
ANTIBODY
• Are protein that are specific
to and bind to a particular
antigen on a cell or virus.
• When latched onto a cell or
virus, this will make it harder
for the target to move,
reproduce and infect cells.
• Akso it makes it easier and
mor appealing for phagocytes
to consume the pathogen.
 B- LYMPHOCYTES
MEMORY B- CELL
• Resides in the lymphatic
system where they help to
provide immunity by
preparing for later
infection by the same
ANTIGEN presesting
pathogen.
VOCABULARY MINUTE!!
ANTIGEN
• Are molecules that can
be recognized by
immune cells as
foreign.
VOCABULARY MINUTE!!

• Also known as antigenic

determinant.
• A part of an antigen that is
recognized by the immune
EPITOPE

system, specifically by
antibodies, B cell, or T cell.
 LYMPHOID STEM CELL
T- LYMPHOCYTES
- Also known as T- CELLS
- Are cells involved in fighting
specific pathogens in the body.
- Divided into 3 major classes:
1. CYTOTOXIC T-CELLS
2. HELPER T-CELLS
3. MEMORY T-CELLS
 T- LYMPHOCYTES
CYTOTOXIC T-CELLS
• Also known as Tc
cells
• Carry out and
attack invaders.
 T- LYMPHOCYTES
HELPER T-CELLS
• Also known as Th cells.
• Help promote Tc cell
and B-cell action.
 T- LYMPHOCYTES
MEMORY T-CELLS
•Provide
immunity
from future
exposure.
2 types of defense
• EXTERNAL DEFENSE
• INTERNAL DEFENSE ( IMMUNOLOGICAL DEFENSE )
EXTERNAL DEDENSE
- The coverings and linings in the body constantly
prevent infections before they begin by barring
pathogens from entering the body.
- mainly:
1. SKIN
2. MUCUS
3. STOMACH ACID
4. TEARS
5. URINE AND ACIDIC VAGINAL SECRETIONS
 EXTERNAL DEFENSE
SKIN
• Difficult for a pathogen to
penetrate
• Composed from closely
packed cells, multiple
layering, continuous
shedding of cells, presence
of keratin.
• Sweat creates high salt
conditions, antibacterial
enzyme ( LYSOZYME )
• Oil layer, fatty acids and acid
ph present makes an
inhospitable environment
for microorganism.
 EXTERNAL DEFENSE
RESPIRATORY TRACT
• Nasal hairs induces
turbulence.
• Mucous secretions trap
particles
• Mucous stream to the base
of tongue where material is
swallowed .
• Nasal secretions contains
anti nicrobial substances.
• Breathing action of cilia
causes mucociliary stream to
flow up into the pharynx
where it is swallowed.
 EXTERNAL DEFENSE
STOMACH
• The ph level of the
stomach juices makes it
hard for a pathogen to
survive.
 EXTERNAL DEFENSE
SMALL INTESTINE
• Upper portion contains
few bacteria.
• As distal end of ileum is
reached, FLORA
increases.
 EXTERNAL DEFENSE
EYE
• Flushing action of tears
which drain through the
lacrimal duct and deposit
bacteria in the
nasopharynx
• Tears contain a high
concentration of lysozyme
( effective against gram
positive microorganisms)
 EXTERNAL DEFENSE
MALE GENITAL
• Frequent flushing action
of urine.
• Bactericidal substances
from prostatic fluid.
• Ph of urine
 EXTERNAL DEFENSE
FEMALE GENITAL
• Large microbial
population.
• Ph of urine
 INTERFERONS
-secreted by certain cells invaded by viruses.
-generalized protection
-diffuse to neighboring cells and stimulate
them to produce antiviral proteins.
-Activate natural killer cells and macrophage
which destroy infected host cell and stimulate
destruction of cancer cells
 COMPLEMENT SYSTEM
- complement ( C ) proteins in blood that must be
activated by pathogens.
- Pathways of complement activation: C3 split into
C3a and C3b.
•CLASSICAL PATHWAY- requires antibody:
SPECIFIC IMMUNITY
• ALTERNATE PATHWAY- NON-SPICIFIC IMMUNITY.
• LECTIN PATHWAY- NON-SPECIFIC IMMUNITY
MECHANISM OF ACTION
• Enhanced inflammation
• Phagocytosis - promoted by
OPSONIZATION
• ASTOLYSIS- membrane complex forms on
larger cell
IMMUNE SURVEILLANCE
• NATURAL KILLER CELLS
- destroy BACTERIA, TRANSPLANTED CELLS, CELLS
INFECTED BY VIRUSES and CANCER CELLS.
-release PERFORINS and GRANIZYMES
 INFLAMMATION
1. Limits the pathogen, then destroy them.
2. Removes debris.
3. Initiates tissue repair
 CYTOKINES
- Small proteins regulate inflammation and
immunity; include:
•INTERFERONS
•INTERLEUKINS
•TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR
•CHEMOTACTIC FACTORS
 CARDINAL SIGNS
1. REDNESS ( ERYTHEMA )
-caused by HYPEREMIA ( blood flow )
2. SWELLING ( EDEMA )
-caused by capillary permeability and filtration
3. HEAT
-caused by hyperemia
4. PAIN
-caused by inflammatory chemical ( BRADYKININ,
PROSTEGLANDINS ) which is secreted by damaged cells.
 PROCESS
1. Mobilization of body defense
2. Containment and destruction of pathogens
3. Tissue clean-up and repair
MOBILIZATION OF DEFENSE
• KININS, HISTAMINE, and LEUKOTRIENES are secreted
by damaged cells, basophils, and MAST CELLS
-stimulates VASODILATION that leads to HYPEREMIA
• stimulates permeability of blood capillaries
-allows BLOOD CELLS, PLASMA PROTEINS,
(ANTIBODIES, COMPLEMENT PROTEINS, FIBRINOGEN)
into tissue
-clotting sequesterss bacteria, forms scaffold for tissue
repair.
CONTAINMENT AND DESTRUCTIONOF PATHOGEN

• FIBRINOGEN now in tissue clots, trapping pathogens

• HEPARIN prevents clotting at the site of injury
• CHEMOTAXIS
• NEUTROPHILS are quickest to respond, induces
PHAGOCYTOSIS, secrete CYTOKINS for recruitment
of MACROPHAGES and NEUTROPHILS
• MACROPHAGES and T-CELLS secrete colony-
stimulating factor to stimulate LEUKOPOIESIS.
 TISSUE CLEANUP
• MONOCYTE, the primary agents of cleanup arrive
in 8 to 12 hours become MACROPHAGES.
 TISSUE REPAIR
• BLOOD PLATELETS and ENDOTHELIAL CELLS in
injured area secrete a CYTOKINE, PDGF, that
stimulates FIBROBLASTS to multiply and
synthesizes COLLAGEN
• FIBRI CLOT may provide a scaffold for repair.
FEVER
 IMMUNITY
• Recognition of SELF vs NON-SELF
• Response is SPECIFIC
• Retains a " MEMORY" allowing an accelerated
second response
• Can respond to many different materials.
• Involves ANTIBODIES
 TYPES OF IMMUNITY
• ACTIVE IMMUNITY
-Naturally - acquired active immunity
-Artificially - acquired active immunity
•PASSIVE IMMUNITY
-Naturally - acquired passive immunity
-Artificially - acquired passive immunity
 ACTIVE IMMUNITY
• The production of antibodies against a specific
disease by the immune system.
• Naturally acquired through disease
• Artificially acquired through vaccine
• Usually permanent
 PASSIVE IMMUNITY
• Protection against disease through antibodies
produced by another human being or animal
• Effective but temporary
• Passive immunity can be transferred artificially
through injection of ANTIBODIES.
DIFFERENCE
FACTORS MODIFY DEFENSE MECHANISM

• AGE
• HORMONES
• DRUGS AND CHEMICALS
• MALNUTRITION
• FATIGUE AND STRESS
• GENETIC DETERMINANTS
PLANTS