Lymphatic System Notes p. 1
THE FUNCTION OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: 1. Maintenance of fluid balance in the body.
2. IMMUNITY-helps with defense of the body
by filtering bacteria
The lymph system works with the circulatory system to assist in the removal of waste and excess
fluid from the tissues!!! The lymphatic system does not have a pump to aid in its flow, instead this system is
designed so that lymph only flows upward through the body traveling from the extremities (feet and hands) and
upward through the body toward the neck.
As it travels through the body, lymph passes through lymph nodes where it is filtered. At the base of the neck, the
lymph enters the subclavian veins and once again becomes plasma in the bloodstream.
Pelvic
Blood Plasma
Lymph
Lymphatic Capillaries
LYMPH
Lymph-is the watery fluid inside the lymphatic vessels!!
Interstitial fluid – is the fluid that filters out of capillaries into the
a microscopic space between tissue cells & LYMPH is part of that interstitial fluid!!
Lymph Fluid is straw-colored (similar to blood plasma) that goes between capillary blood and tissues
LYMPH does many things:
1. Carries digested food, O2, and hormones to cells
2. Carries wastes back to capillaries for excretion and returns
tissue fluid to the general circulation!!!
3. Since lymphatic system
has no pump, skeletal
muscle action squeezes
lymph along & the
circulatory system helps
get it back to the blood
stream via capillary
permeability.
Lymphatic System Notes p. 2
4. Lymph in tissues is interstitial fluid!
Lymph Fluid is Composed of H2O, lymphocytes, O2, digested nutrients, hormones, Salts, CO2, and urea.
but NO red blood cells or protein molecules (too large). It carries the digested food, O2 and hormones to
cells!!! & carries wastes back to capillaries for excretion
Tissue lymph enter small lymph vessels which drain into larger lymph vessels (lymphatics) into two
main lymphatics ~THE THORACIC DUCT AND RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT~
Lymph flows only in one direction – from body organs to the heart. (It starts in hands and feet and goes
upwards.)
THORACIC DUCT gets lymph from left side of chest, head and neck, abdominal area and lower limbs
 left subclavian vein  superior vena cava  heart.
The thoracic duct is the largest
of the lymphatic vessels!!!
LYMPH VESSELS
Lymphatic System Notes p. 3
The lymph vessels accompany and closely parallel veins!!!
Lymph Vessels are located in almost all tissues and organs that have blood vessels.
Lymph vessels – transport excess tissue fluid back into circulatory system
1. Valves prevent backward flow (like those in veins and the heart)
2. Lymph flows in only one direction – from body organs to heart
3. The Lymph Vessels Closely accompany and PARALLEL veins!
LYMPH NODES
LYMPH NODES ARE tiny and oval shaped about the size of pinheads
up to the size of a pea or an almond!!
They can be located alone or grouped together with MOST IN HEAD, NECK, AXILLA (under the arm)
ABDOMEN AND GROIN!!! Lymph Nodes produce lymphocytes and FILTER harmful bacteria.
~IF THE SUBSTANCES CAN’T BE DESTROYED BY THE
NODE, THE NODES BECOME SWOLLEN~
Lymphatic System Notes p. 4
Tonsils-are type of Lymph Tissue/Get smaller as person gets older/located in throat (pharynx)!!!
Adenoids – are a type of tonsil in the back of the throat (sometimes removed at the same.
Spleen ~ Sac-like mass of lymphatic tissue in the upper left ABDOMINAL CAVITY, just below the
diaphragm. The SPLEEN also produces lymphocytes and monocytes & functions as a blood reservoir
and recycles old red cells (RBCs) contracts during vigorous exercise or loss of blood to release
RBCs!!!!
Recycles old red cells & destroys and removes old or fragile RBCs.
Since the spleen is so vascular (many blood cells for filter and storage of blood), if it is torn or ruptured a
person can bleed to death so it may need to be removed!!
Thymus ~ produces T-LYMPHOCYTES. The Thymus is situated in the center of the upper chest
(THORACIC CAVITY) just behind the sternum (breastbone/sternum). It is in the thymus that
lymphocytes mature, multiply, and become T cells. (That is why they are called T cells. The T is for
thymus.) The thymus reaches its greatest size at puberty. It then begins to involute (fold in) and much of
the lymphoid tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue and fat. Its function accordingly declines after puberty.
~the THYMUS is also considered an Endocrine Gland (we will learn more later).
Lymphatic System Notes p. 5
Immunity is the body’s ability to resist pathogens and foreign materials and the diseases they cause!!!
FYI: Although the innate and adaptive immune systems both function to protect against invading organisms, they
differ in a number of ways. The adaptive immune system requires some time to react to an invading organism,
whereas the innate immune system includes defenses that, for the most part, are constantly present and ready to be
mobilized upon infection. Second, the adaptive immune system is antigen specific and reacts only with the organism
that induced the response. In contrast, the innate system is not antigen specific and reacts equally well to a variety of
organisms. Finally, the adaptive immune system demonstrates immunological memory. It “remembers” that it has
encountered an invading organism and reacts more rapidly on subsequent exposure to the same organism. In
contrast, the innate immune system does not demonstrate immunological memory.
1. Natural immunity is something you get at birth/inherited and permanent
a. Unbroken skin
b. Mucus and tears
c. Blood phagocytes (from the leukocytes!)
d. Local inflammation (response to irritation)
2. Acquired immunity – body’s reaction to invaders
~ Passive acquired immunity – from injecting antibodies, only lasts a few weeks
~Active acquired immunity – lasts longer (2 types)
Natural acquired immunity – result of recovering from disease, body manufactures own
antibodies and person doesn’t get the disease again
Artificial acquired immunity – from being vaccinated
Immunization – antigen injected into a person to stimulate production of antibodies
(when you are inoculated/injected with a vaccine).
Lymphatic System Notes p. 6
CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OF COMMON LYMPHATIC DISORDERS
Tonsillitis /Most often in childhood when the tonsils become infected and enlarged. /Patients have
difficulty swallowing, severe sore throat, elevated temperature, enlarged tonsils and
chills!!!/Tonsillectomy in extreme cases
Lymphadenitis (adenitis)/generalized swelling or enlargement of the lymph nodes!!!/Occurs when
infection present and body making WBCs to fight infection
Mononucleosis/CAUSED BY VIRUS: most common in
Young Adults and Children/Spread by oral contact (kissing)!!!!
Symptoms – lymphadenitis, fever, fatigue,  leukocytes
Rx (Treatment)- bed rest & treat the symptoms!!
HODGKIN’S DISEASE
~Cancer of lymph nodes!!
~Painless swelling of lymph nodes is a
common early symptom
~Rx : (Treatment)-chemotherapy and radiation!
Lymphatic System Notes p. 7
Hypersensitivity!!/Abnormal response to drug or allergen/Antibodies made in response to foreign
material (allergen) irritate certain body cells
FYI: Hypersensitivity reactions historically have been classified according to two characteristics: the delay between
the exposure of a previously sensitized (hypersensitive) individual to antigen and the development of a clinically
recognizable reaction; and the types of cells and humoral substances thought to be responsible for the induction and
expression of the reaction. According to this scheme, classical delayed hypersensitivity reactions differ from other
forms of hypersensitivity in first becoming clinically prominent in sensitized individuals approximately 1 day after
exposure to the specific antigen against which the individual expresses hypersensitivity; and depending for their
expression on the activity of certain lymphocytes (thymic-dependent lymphocytes, or T cells) rather than soluble
antibodies. By contrast, immediate hypersensitivity reactions may develop within seconds or minutes of exposure to
specific antigen, and require the participation of antibodies. Immediate hypersensitivity reactions, collectively
known as allergies, occur usually within minutes or up to a few hours after inhalation, ingestion, or injection of an
antigen. Such reactions may be severe, even life-threatening, such as anaphylactic shock and asthma, or relatively
minor but uncomfortable, such as hay fever or urticaria (hives). They may be of short duration—hours for
anaphylaxis—or prolonged for several days or even weeks.
Allergen – antigen that causes allergic response (Examples: Ragweed, penicillin, bee stings, foods, etc.)
Anaphylaxis (Anaphylactic shock)/Severe or fatal
allergic reaction usually to things like a bee sting
or shell fish and certain medicines like antibiotics!!
~Antigen-antibody response stimulates massive secretion
of histamine
~Symptoms – breathing problems, headache,
Facial Swelling, falling blood pressure, stomach cramps,
Vomiting/Rx (Treatment) – Adrenaline or an Epi Pen
~ Those prone to anaphylactic reactions should wear medic
alert bracelet!!!!
Lymphatic System Notes p. 8
AIDS and HIV
ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME/Caused by the HIV virus
Three responses to HIV infection:
1. AIDS – full disorder
2. ARC – AIDS-related complex
3. Asymptomatic infection
Screening test for HIV available/AIDS victim subject to opportunistic infections (cancer, infections) that
a healthy person would fight off but AIDS victim has compromised immune response/ An opportunistic
infection (which most likely occurs in hospitalized patients and those with low immune system
diseases like HIV, TB, and AIDS) occurs in patients with a compromised immune response!!
Incubation period – 1 month to 12 years!!! So if you come in contact with an individual with AIDS,
you will know within this time period if you have caught the disease!!
Rx and prevention – advances being made ARC – AIDS-related complex – HIV but not AIDS – less
severe symptoms!!!
Transmission (the way it is spread)/Sex with someone HIV positive!!!!-JUST SAY NO/Sharing needles
with infected drug users/At birth from infected mother/Health Care workers coming in contact with
infected blood!!
*Cannot be spread by casual contact, coughing, sneezing, shaking hands and sharing eating utensils
The AIDS patient is sometimes treated as an outcast, the Healthcare worker should be supportive!
~Use of gloves for normal patient contact is NOT NECESSARY!!!
Prevention – avoid risky behaviors and observe standard precautions!!
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease that involves changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and
internal organs. It is a type of autoimmune disorder, a condition that occurs when the immune system
mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.
Causes: The cause of scleroderma is unknown. People with this condition have a buildup of a substance
called collagen in the skin and other organs. This buildup leads to the symptoms of the disease.
The disease usually affects people 30 to 50 years old. Women get scleroderma more often than men do.
Some people with scleroderma have a history of being around silica dust and polyvinyl chloride, but most
do not.
Widespread scleroderma can occur with other autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus
erythematosus
Symptoms: Some types of scleroderma affect only the skin, while others affect the whole body.
 Localized scleroderma usually affects only the skin on the hands and face. It develops slowly, and
rarely, if ever, spreads throughout the body or causes serious complications.

Systemic scleroderma, or sclerosis, may affect large areas of skin and organs such as the heart,
lungs, or kidneys.
SCLERODERMA
Lymphatic System Notes p. 9
LUPUS
Lupus erythematosus: a long-term autoimmune disorder that may affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain,
and other organs.
Autoimmune disease = means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This leads
to long-term (chronic) inflammation.
The underlying cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully known.
Lupus is more common in women than men. It may occur at any age, but appears most often in people
between the ages of 10 and 50. African Americans and Asians are affected more often than people from
other races.
may also be caused by certain drugs.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person, and may come and go. Almost everyone has joint pain and
swelling. Some develop arthritis. Frequently affected joints are the fingers, hands, wrists, and knees.
Tests used to diagnose:
 Antibody tests, including antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS: Used in patient care setting when there is contact with blood or
body fluids, mucous membrane or non-intact skin
~ Hand washing – single most effective way to prevent infection!!!
a. Wash after touching body fluids, even if wearing gloves!!!!
b. Wash immediately after removing gloves and between patients
c. Use soap and friction
d. Wash for a minimum of 10 seconds!!!
MINIMUM of 10
SECONDS!!
Lymphatic System Notes p. 10
Personal Protective
Equipment!!!
Gloves – when touching blood and body fluids/ before helping anyone who is bleeding, for whatever
reason, ALWAYS put on gloves first!!!
Mask, goggles, face shield, gown are required when patient care activities can generate splashing or spray
of blood, body fluids!!!!
Patient care equipment and linens: Handle with care / Don’t let it touch your clothing, clean or discard
appropriately
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND BLOODBOURNE PATHOGENS
In any health care career you will be taught and re-taught Blood Bourne pathogens and be re-certified
every year to prove your competency, the MOST IMPORTANT INFO:
~Beware of needles: Never recap used needles when working!!
~Dispose of all needles and sharp objects in sharps container
~Use mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices as
alternative to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
~A patient who contaminates the environment should be in a private room or relatively isolated area. (i.e.:
tuberculosis patients/C-diff/flu patients!!!