Download Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports

Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
The Lymphatic System
The Lymphatic System
Definition: is a subsidiary circulation, helping the blood carry out its functions

It is a Network of vessels to transport excess fluid to aid blood circulation.

It removes excess fluid from the tissues and carries large particles that cannot pass
through the blood capillaries

It also contains lymph nodes which filter the blood and produce antibodies which
fight infection.
Functions of the lymphatic system:
The lymphatic system works in close cooperation with other body systems to perform these
important functions:
1. The lymphatic system aids the immune system in destroying pathogens and filtering
waste so that the lymph can be safely returned to the circulatory system.
2. To remove excess fluid, waste, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens, cancer cells, and
toxins from these cells and the tissue spaces between them.
3. The lymphatic system also works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients,
oxygen, and hormones from the blood to the cells that make up the tissues of the
body
Why we need a Lymphatic System

Filtration forces water and dissolved substances from the capillaries into the
interstitial fluid.

Not all of this water is returned to the blood by osmosis, and excess fluid is picked up
by lymph capillaries to become lymph.

Prevent swelling of interstitial tissue and fight disease
.
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
Structures of the Lymphatic System
Lymph , Lymphocytes , Lymphatic capillaries , Lymphatic Vessels
Lymphatic Nodes, Lymphatic Ducts, Lymph Organs
Lymph

Fluid similar to blood plasma

Lymph originates as plasma, which is the fluid portion of blood. The arterial blood
that flows out of the heart slows as it moves through a capillary bed. This slowing
allows some plasma to leave the arterioles and flow into the tissues where it
becomes tissue fluid.

Also known as extracellular fluid, this is fluid that flows between the cells but is not
found within the cells. This fluid delivers nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to the
cells.

As this fluid leaves the cells, it takes with it cellular waste products and protein cells.

Approximately 90% of this tissue fluid flows into the venules. Here it enters the
venous circulation as plasma and continues in the circulatory system.

The remaining 10 % of the fluid that is left behind is now known as lymph.
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh-XdNnTZUo&feature=endscreen&NR=1 – short
Lymphatic Capillaries
Function : These vessels work with blood to carry excess fluid , occur in all spaces around
tissue except in the central nervous system
Structure : fine, permeable tubes compose of a single layer of endothelial cells
Lymphatic Vessels
Function : these transport lymph around the lymphatic system , collecting lymph from the
capillaries and convey lymph towards the heart
Structure : thin walled , they have valves to keep flow towards the heart direction – 3 layers



outer layer of fibrous tissue
Middle layer of muscular or elastic tissue
Inner layer of endothelial cells
Lymphatic Movement - How does Lymph Move ?
1) Skeletal Muscle contraction:
2) Slight oncoming pressure from tissue fluid
3) Respiration – movement of lymph towards the thorax during inspiration
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
4) Suction – negative pressure helps to pull lymph up towards the lymphatic ducts
Lymphatic Transportation –
 The bloodstream is pumped by the heart. It circulates throughout the body and is
cleansed by being filtered by the kidneys.

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.
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System


The lymphatic veins flow into one of two lymph ducts.

The right lymph duct drains the right arm, shoulder area, and the right side of the
head and neck.

The left lymph duct, or thoracic duct, drains everything else, including the legs, GI
tract and other abdominal organs, thoracic organs, and the left side of the head and
neck and left arm and shoulder.

These ducts then drain into the subclavian veins on each side where they join the
internal jugular veins to form the brachiocephalic veins.
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
Lymphatic Drainage
Right Lymphatic Duct to Right Subclavian Vein / Left Thoracic Duct to Left Subclavian Vein
Drains lymph from the right side of the head and
neck
Drains lymph from the left side of the head and neck
The Left arm and the left upper quadrant
The right arm
The lower trunk and both legs
Upper right quadrant of the body.
The cisterna chyli temporarily stores lymph as it moves
Lymph from this area flows into the right lymphatic upward from the lower areas of the body.
 The thoracic duct transports lymph upward to the left
duct.
lymphatic duct.
The left lymphatic duct empties the lymph into the left
subclavian vein.
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
Lymph Nodes
There are between 600-700 lymph nodes present in the average human body. It is the role
of these nodes to filter the lymph before it can be returned to the circulatory system.
Function of Nodes
Lymph nodes are made up of lymphatic tissue these nodes kill pathogens and cancer cells.
They can slow the spread of cancer until they are overwhelmed by it.
Afferent lymphatic vessels carry unfiltered lymph into the node.
Efferent lymphatic vessels carry the filtered lymph out of the node to continue its return to
the circulatory system
Lymphatic Tissue in the Lymph Nodes divides in 2 Sections
Section 1) Phagocyctes – white blood cells that kill and destroy harmful waste and bacteria
(Here waste products, and some of the fluid, are filtered out)
Section 2) lymphocytes, which are specialized white blood cells, kill pathogens that may be
present. This causes the swelling commonly swelling known as swollen glands.
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
The Regional Lymph Nodes

Occipital Nodes

Cervical Nodes

Axillary Nodes

Inguinal Nodes

Popliteal Nodes
Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXsYyLAvC7I&NR=1&feature=endscreen – part 1
Lymphatic Organs – specialist areas carrying Lymphatic tissue
 Tonsils
Thymus Gland
 Peyers Patches (wall of small intestine)
Appendix
 Spleen

Unit 416 - Functional Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition for Sports Therapies
SLO 8 The Lymphatic System
Interrelationships
Comparison of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
Cardiovascular System
(Blood)
Lymphatic System
(Lymph)
Blood is responsible for collecting and distributing
oxygen, nutrients and hormones to the tissues of
entire body.
Lymph is responsible for collecting and removing
waste products left behind in the tissues.
Blood flows in a closed continuous loop throughout
the body via the arteries, capillaries, and veins.
Lymph flows in an open circuit from the tissues into
lymphatic vessels. Once within these vessels, lymph
flows in only one direction.
Blood is pumped. The heart pumps blood into the
arteries that carry it to all of the body. Veins return
blood from all parts of the body to the heart.
Lymph is not pumped. It passively flows from the
tissues into the lymph capillaries. Flow within the
lymphatic vessels is aided by other body movements
such as deep breathing and the action of nearby
muscles and blood vessels.
Blood consists of the liquid plasma that transports the Lymph that has been filtered and is ready to return to
red and white blood cells and platelets.
the cardiovascular system is a clear or milky white
fluid.
Blood is visible and damage to blood vessels causes
obvious signs such as bleeding or bruising.
Lymph is invisible and damage to the lymphatic
system is difficult to detect until swelling occurs.
Blood is filtered by the kidneys. All blood flows
Lymph is filtered by lymph nodes located throughout
through the kidneys where waste products and excess the body. These nodes remove some fluid and debris.
fluids are removed. Necessary fluids are returned to They also kill pathogens and some cancer cells.
the cardiovascular circulation.
Circulatory
Digestive
Muscular
Transports excess waste which the Lymphatic vessels in the Lactic acid formed when over
circulatory system cannot cope with, small
intestine
aid
the exercising muscle or from tension
away from cells and tissues and aids absorption of fats during or muscle fatigue is drained away
protection of body by strengthening digestion these are then sent via the lymphatic system
the body’s immunity
to the circulatory system and
used as energy in cells