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4
THE LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM
PREPARED BY: LING MEI TENG
Lymphatic system
1. Lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system
and also part of immune system.
2. Lymphatic system is a closed system consisting of a
network of lymphatic vessels, ducts and nodes.
• There is no pump in this system, the fluid (lymph)
is squeezed along the lymphatic vessels by
pressured associated with the movement of
skeletal muscles, intestinal movement and
breathing.
• The thymus and spleen are important organs of
lymphatic system.
Structure of the lymphatic system
Right
lymphati
1.Lymphatic capillaries join
c duct
to form lymphatics
2.Semilunar valve are
Thoracic
duct
present along the
lymphatics
3.The lymphatics from all
parts of the body finally
form two large ducts, the
right lymphatic duct and
the thoracic duct.
Lymph nodes
1. Situated at intervals
along the lymphatics are
the oval shaped
structure called lymph
nodes.
2. There are large lymph
nodes in the neck,
armpits and groin.
3. Lymphocytes are found
in the lymph nodes.
Phagocytes in the lymph
nodes help to remove
bacteria.
Interstitial fluid
1. Blood that enters the arterial end of a capillary is under
high pressure.
2. The pressure is sufficient to cause fluid to leak
continuously from the blood into the spaces between the
cells.
3. Interstitial fluid:
a. fills the spaces between the cells and constantly bathes the
cells.
b. important to cells because it is through this fluid that
exchange of materials between blood capillaries and cells
occurs.
c. Nutrients and oxygen diffuse from the blood through the
interstitial fluid into body cells.
d. Waste products and carbon dioxide from body cells through
the interstitial fluid into the blood.
e. consists of water, leucocytes, dissolved nutrients, hormones,
waste products, gases and small proteins from the blood.
Formation of the interstitial fluid
15%
to
lymphatic
system
85%
Similarities and differences of blood plasma, interstitial and lymph
Interstitial fluid
Blood plasma Lymph
Similarities
Water liquid.
Transport gases, nutrients and waste product
Difference
1. Maintain the balance of fluid in the body by
carrying excess interstitial fluid back to the
bloodstream.
2. Prevents oedema – excessive accumulation
of interstitial fluid in the spaces between the
cells caused by a blocked lymphatic vessel.
3. Lipids and fat soluble vitamins are transported
to the bloodstream via lacteals (lymph
capillaries) in the villi.
Exercise
Do page 13
The end