Lesson 2B (Part 1)

Question 1

Lymphatic system

Answer 1

Network of tissues and organs that primarily consists of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymph

Question 2

What are components of the lymphatic system? (4)

Answer 2

1. Tonsils
2. Adenoids
3. Spleen
4. Thymus

Question 3

How many lymph nodes are part of the human body?

Answer 3

600-700

Question 4

What do lymph nodes do?

Answer 4

Filter the lymph before it returns to the circulatory system

- lot more lymph going in than coming out

Question 5

What are the functions of the lymphatic system? (4)

Answer 5

1. Transport clean fluids back to the blood
2. Drains excess fluids from the tissues
3. Removes debris from the cells of the body
4. Transports fats from the digestive system

Question 6

What direction does lymph flow?

Answer 6

Only one direction

- upward toward the neck

Question 7

How does lymph flow?

Answer 7

It goes into the venous blood stream through the subclavien veins
- which are located on either sides of the neck near the collarbones

Question 8

What are the 2 drainage systems of the lymphatic system?

Answer 8

1. Right

2. Left

Question 9

What does the right drainage system handle? (2)

Answer 9

1. The right arm

2. Chest

Question 10

What does the left drainage system handle?

Answer 10

Clears all of the other areas of the body

- including both legs, the lower trunk, the upper left portion of the chest, and the left arm

Question 11

Where do afferent lymphatic vessels enter the lymph node?

Answer 11

At the hilus

Question 12

What happens inside a lymph node?

Answer 12

It gets scrutinized by macrophages and lymphocytes ready to mount an immune response

Question 13

Where does lymph exit from a lymph node?

Answer 13

Efferent lymphatic vessel

Question 14

How does lymph get cleaned?

Answer 14

By passing through several nodes

Question 15

Why is it significant that there are more afferent then efferent lymphatic vessels?

Answer 15

Because there is a lot more going into the lymph node than coming out because its filtering

Question 16

Infection

Answer 16

Infected material may enter lymph vessels from infected tissues and if the phagocytosis is not effective then infection may spread from node to node

Question 17

Lymphagitis

Answer 17

Inflammation of lymph vessels

Question 18

Lymphadenitis

Answer 18

Infection of lymph nodes

Question 19

Lymphadenopathy

Answer 19

Enlargement of lymph nodes

Question 20

Splenomegaly

Answer 20

Enlargement of the spleen

Question 21

Lymphoedema

Answer 21

Swelling in tissues whose lymphatic drainage has been obstructed in some way

Question 22

Where are the 2 cervical chains located?

Answer 22

1. Anterior
2. Posterior

• important to scan all the way down to the clavicle and up to the ear

Question 23

What should a normal lymph node look like? (10)

Answer 23

1. Small
2. Oval
3. Hilum present
4. Moderate echogenicity
5. Sharp margins, no structural changes
6. Soft tissue edema
7. Central vessel on Doppler
8. Single vascular pedicle
9. Regular vascular pattern
10. Low impedence

Question 24

When does enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes commonly occur?

Answer 24

With a viral infection

Question 25

What is the reactive lymph nodes look like?

Answer 25

Same as the normal lymph nodes

Question 26

What is the difference between normal and reactive lymph nodes?

Answer 26

Reactive nodes are are usually small, firm and non-tender and they may persist for weeks to months

Question 27

What do abnormal lymph nodes look like? (11)

Answer 27

1. Large
2. Rounded
3. Hilum absent
4. Hypoechoic
5. Irregular, angular, blurred margins
6. Structural changes
7. No edema
8. Peripheral vessel on Doppler
9. Multiple vascular pedicles
10. Chaotic vascular pattern
11. High impedance

Question 28

Lymphatic obstruction

Answer 28

Lymph vessel is obstructed, and lymph accumulates distal to the obstruction
- lymphoedema

Question 29

What is the result of lymphatic obstruction?

Answer 29

Swelling and the size of the area affected depend on the size of the vessel involved

Question 30

What does lymphedema lead to?

Answer 30

Low-grade inflammation and fibrosis of the lymph vessel and further lymphoedema

Question 31

What are the most common causes for lymphedema?

Answer 31

An accumulation of lymph fluid that occurs if the lymphatic system is damaged or not functioning properly

• tumours
• following surgical removal of lymph nodes

Question 32

Lymphedema

Answer 32

Chronic swelling of the limbs

Question 33

Where does lymphedema occur?

Answer 33

Typically the limbs but can also involve the face, neck and abdomen