The Lymphatic System

A Shadow Circulation of the Blood

What is the Function of the Lymphatic
System?

 The removal of excess fluids from body tissues.

 Absorption of fatty acids and subsequent
transport of fat, chyle, to the circulatory system.
 Production of immune cells (such as lymphocytes)
What is the Lymphatic
System?

• The lymphatic system is an organ system that

consists of a collection of lymphatic organs
and lymphatic vessels running between them.
• In a practical sense, the lymphatic system
can be thought of as a shadow circulation of
the blood circulation.
• The lymphatic system is
also a network of vessels
that run throughout the
body.
• However, these vessels
do not form a full
circulating system and
are not pressurized by
the heart.
• Lymphatic system is an
open system with the
fluid moving in one
direction from the
extremities toward two
drainage points into veins
just above the heart
Formation of Lymph

 Lymph is formed when the interstitial fluid is collected

through tiny lymph capillaries, which are located
throughout the body.
 Fluid in the spaces between tissues is called interstitial
fluid, or 'tissue fluid'. This provides the cells of the body
with nutrients (via the blood supply) and a means of waste
removal.
interstitial fluid (IN-ter-STIH-shul FLOO-id) Fluid found in
the spaces around cells. It comes from substances that leak out
of blood capillaries (the smallest type of blood vessel). It helps
bring oxygen and nutrients to cells and to remove waste
products from them.
 Lymph

A colorless fluid containing white blood

cells, which bathes the tissues and drains
through the lymphatic system into the
bloodstream.
 Lymph is a usually clear, transparent,
colorless fluid (like clear spring water).
Lymphocytes

 Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are also

one of the body's main types of immune cells.
They are made in the bone marrow and found in
the blood and lymph tissue.
 These cells work together to defend the body
against foreign substances, such as bacteria,
viruses, and cancer cells that can threaten its
functioning.
Categories of Lymphocytes
 There are two categories of lymphocytes known as B
lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. These are commonly
referred to as B cells and T cells.
 Both types originate from stem cells in the bone marrow.
From there, some cells travel to the thymus, where they
become T cells. Others remain in the bone marrow, where
they become B cells.
 The job of B cells is to make antibodies, which are proteins
produced by the immune system to fight foreign substances
known as antigens.
 The job of T cells is to help the body kill cancer cells and
control the immune response to foreign substances.
B Lymphocytes
(B Cells)
Memory B Cells

 Memory B cells circulate in the body to start a fast

antibody response when they find a foreign substance.
They remain in the body for decades and become memory
cells, which remember previously found antigens and help
the immune system respond faster to future attacks
Regulatory B Cells

 Bregs have protective anti-inflammatory effects in the

body and stop lymphocytes that cause inflammation.
T Lymphocytes
(T Cells)
Killer T Cells

 Killer or cytotoxic T cells scan the surface of cells in the

body to see if they have become infected with germs, or if
they have turned cancerous. If so, they kill these cells.
Helper T Cells

 Helper T cells "help" other cells in the immune system to

start and control the immune response against foreign
substances.
Regulatory T Cells

 They maintain tolerance to germs, prevent autoimmune

diseases, and limit inflammatory diseases. But they can
also suppress the immune system from doing its job
against certain antigens and tumors.
Memory T Cells

 Memory T cells protect the body against previously found

antigens. They live for a long time after an infection is
over, helping the immune system to remember previous
infections.
Natural Killer T Cells

 Natural killer T cells are a mixed group of T cells that

share characteristics of both T cells and natural killer
cells. They can influence other immune cells and control
immune responses against substances in the body that
trigger an immune response.
Right Lymphatic Duct

 The right lymphatic duct, also called the right thoracic

duct, is about 1.25 cm long. It drains lymphatic fluid from
the right thoracic cavity (this is the section of the trunk
on the upper right side), the right arm, and from
the right side of the neck and the head.
Thoracic Lymphatic Duct

  The thoracic duct drains the lower extremities, pelvis,

abdomen, left side of the thorax, left upper extremity,
and left side of the head and neck. It originates at the
cisterna chyli.

Cisterna Chyli is one of the two reservoirs

holding lymph and other bodily fluids found
in lymphatic system. It receives and
temporarily stores the lymph and body tissue
fluids as it traverses upward body.
Circulation of Lymph

 Fluid goes to the Lymphatic bed also known as the

interstitial bed.
 Lymph is transported through lymph vessels to lymph
nodes, which clean and filter it.
 Lymph then flows on to the lymphatic ducts, before
emptying into the right or the left subclavian vein, where
it mixes back with blood.
 Lymphatic
Lymphatic Afferent
Capillaries Lymph Node
Bed Lymph Vessels
“plexus”

Efferent
Lymph
Vessels

Lymph
Circulation Big Veins Lymph Trunk
Duct