Lymphatic system

Prof. SHEKHAR TELI

B.L.D.E.A’s college of pharmacy
Lymph: Lymph is a tissue fluid is formed by the passage of
substances from blood capillaries into tissue spaces. It flows in a
closed system is called lymphatic system.
Composition: Blood plasma, low protein, lipids and lymphocytes.
This system consists of
lymph
lymph vessels
lymph nodes
lymph organs, e.g. spleen, thymus and tonsils.
bone marrow.

Formation of lymph: Lymph is formed by filtration of tissue fluid into

lymphatic capillaries.
Functions of the lymphatic system
1) The lymphatic's drain the excess fluid from tissues back
to circulation.
2) Lymph nodes protect the body against infection by
filtering and destroying microorganisms.
3) Lymph nodes produces lymphocytes.
4) The lymphatic's carry waste products from tissues to
blood.
5. Transport of dietary fats: Lympatic vessles transports
fats and fat soluble substances i.e ADEK from GIT
Lymph nodes: These are small, oval or bean shaped glands
present in the course of lymphatic vessels. The lymph nodes
are usually distributed in groups. The main groups of glands are
present in the neck, arm, thorax, abdomen and groin.
Histologically, it has
Cortex: The cortex is the outer part of the lymph gland
containing peripherally the lymphatic nodules. In the inner
zone there are germinal centres which produces lymphocytes.
Medulla: It is the inner part of the lymph gland devoid of
lymphatic nodules. It contains lymph cells and there are
medullary cord, medullary sinus.
Hilum: it is the mouth of the gland, gives
1) entry to an efferent lymphatic vessel
2) exit to an efferent lymphatic vessels
3) Arteries and veins.
Functions of lymph nodes:
1) they filter out solid particles including microorganism,
toxins and foreign bodies.
2) they produce lymphocytes.
3) they produce protein like gamma-globulin.
Lymphatic ducts: the two main lymphatic ducts are
1) thoracic duct 2) right lymphatic duct.
Thoracic duct: it is larger lymphatic duct. It drains lymph
from the pelvis, abdomen, left half of thorax, left arm, head
and neck. It pours its content into the subclavian vein.
Right lymphatic duct: it is small dilated lymph vessel, it
drains lymph from right half of thorax, right arm, head and
neck. It pour into the right side veins of the neck.
SWELLING OF LYMPH NODES
During infection or any other processes in a particular
region of the body, activities of the lymph nodes in that
region increase.
This causes swelling of the lymph nodes. Sometimes, the
swollen lymph nodes cause pain.
Most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection.
Lymph nodes situated near an infected area swell
immediately.
When the body recovers from infection, the lymph nodes
restore their original size gradually, in one or two weeks.
Causes for Lymph Node Swelling
1. Skin infection of arm causes swelling of lymph nodes in
armpit.
2. Tonsillitis or throat infection causes swelling of
lymph nodes in neck.
3. Infection of genital organs or leg results in swelling of
lymph nodes in groin.
4. Viral infections such as glandular fever which affect the
whole body cause swelling of lymph nodes in various parts
of the body.
5. Cancer in a particular region may spread into the nearby
lymph nodes causing the swelling.
Examples:
i. Throat cancer may spread into lymph nodes in
neck.
ii. Lung cancer may spread into lymph nodes in
chest.
iii. Breast cancer may spread into lymph nodes in
armpit.
iv. Intestinal cancer may spread into lymph nodes in
abdomen.
v.. Lymphomas (cancer of lymphatic system) and
leukemia cause swelling of lymph nodes in many parts of
the body.
 Spleen
STRUCTURE OF SPLEEN
Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ in the body and it is
highly vascular. It is situated in left hypochondrial region, i.e.
upper left part of the abdomen, behind the stomach and just
below the diaphragm.
Spleen is covered by an outer serous coat and an inner
fibromuscular capsule. From the capsule, the trabeculae and
trabecular network arise.
All the three structures, viz. capsule, trabeculae and
trabecular network contain collagen fibers, elastic fibers,
smooth muscle fibers and reticular cells.
The parenchyma of spleen is divided into red and white pulp.
RED PULP
Red pulp consists of venous sinus and cords of structures
like blood cells, macrophages and mesenchymal cells.
WHITE PULP
The structure of white pulp is similar to that of lymphoid
tissue.
It has a central artery, which is surrounded by splenic
corpuscles or Malpighian corpuscles.
These corpuscles are formed by lymphatic sheath
containing lymphocytes and macrophages.
FUNCTIONS OF SPLEEN
1. FORMATION OF BLOOD CELLS Spleen plays an important role in
the hemopoietic function in embryo.
During the hepatic stage, spleen produces blood cells along with liver.
In myeloid stage, it produces the blood cells along with liver and bone
marrow.
2. DESTRUCTION OF BLOOD CELLS
Older RBCs, lymphocytes and thrombocytes are destroyed in the
spleen. When the RBCs become old (120 days), the cell membrane
becomes more fragile.
Diameter of most of the capillaries is less or equal to that of RBC. The
fragile old cells are destroyed while trying to squeeze through the
capillaries because, these cells cannot withstand the stress of
squeezing.
Destruction occurs mostly in the capillaries of spleen because the
splenic capillaries have a thin lumen. So, the spleen is known as
‘graveyard of RBCs’.
3. BLOOD RESERVOIR FUNCTION
In animals, spleen stores large amount of blood.
However, this function is not significant in humans. But, a
large number of RBCs are stored in spleen.
The RBCs are released from spleen into circulation during
the emergency conditions like hypoxia and hemorrhage.
4. ROLE IN DEFENSE OF BODY
Spleen filters the blood by removing the microorganisms.
The macrophages in splenic pulp destroy the
microorganisms and other foreign bodies by phagocytosis.
Spleen contains about 25% of T lymphocytes and 15% of B
lymphocytes and forms the site of antibody production.
Thymus: the thymus gland contains lymphoid tissue. It lies
in the thorax behind the sternum but in front of the heart
and arch of aorta. It weights about 10- 15 gm at birth and it
grows until puberty. Later it gradually decreases in size
and shrinks. And it produce T-lymphocytes.
Tonsils: tonsils are group of lymphoid tissue. There are two
tonsils, one each side of the pharynx. Tonsils are supplied
with blood and lymphatic vessels. The surface of the
tonsils is covered with mucous membrane. And
Lymphocytes are present in the fluid on the surface of
tonsils.