Tissue fluid & The lymphatic system

Fluid Exchange Take place in capillaries But blood has a higher osmotic potential

than the surrounding tissue fluid How would nutrients and water flow out of

capillaries??

Fluid Exchange in Tissues

Exchange of substances between blood and body cells take place through the capillaries

Blood pressure higher at arterial end This pressure forces water and nutrients

out of capillaries into intercellular spaces

Arterial end Venous end

Body cells take in nutrients from intercellular spaces Blood pressure is lower at venous end, water and

waste products from cells enter capillaries Fluid in intercellular spaces is called tissue fluid

Arterial end Venous end

Tissue FluidWater Nutrients

WaterWaste

Oedema

Occurs when tissue fluid is formed faster than it can be drained away

Accumulate in tissues and cause them to swell

Occurs in elderly people or pregnant women

Not all the tissue fluid returns to the capillaries

Some will enter blind–ending vessels called lymphatics as lymph fluid

Lymph fluid◦ pale yellow liquid◦ Similar to plasma except for the absence of

plasma proteins

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, which defends the body against infection.

The lymphatic system is a network of small lymph nodes connected by very thin lymph vessels, which branch into every part of the body except the brain and spinal cord.

It transports a watery clear fluid called lymph.  This fluid distributes immune cells and other factors throughout the body. It also interacts with the blood circulatory system to drain fluid from cells and tissues.

The lymphatic system contains immune cells called lymphocytes, which protect the body against antigens (viruses, bacteria, etc.) that invade the body. 

Description

to collect and return interstitial fluid, including plasma protein to the blood, and thus help maintain fluid balance, 

to defend the body against disease by producing lymphocytes, 

to absorb lipids from the intestine and transport them to the blood."

Functions

Lymphatic System

Lymphatic vessels:◦ Transport excess

tissue fluid back into blood stream

Lymphatic Organs:◦ Lymph node, tonsils,

thymus and spleen

Lymphatic Vessels

Lymphatic Vessels Blind-ended Compression of skeletal muscles aids in

unidirectional flow Valves present Small vessels join up to form 2 larger

ones; right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct

Both ducts empty their contents back into the blood stream via the subclavian veins

Lymphatic Pathways

Bone marrow, Tonsils Lymph nodes, Spleen, Thymus.

Lymph organs include

Human lymph nodes are bean-shaped and range in size from a few millimeters to about 1-2 cm in their normal state. 

They may become enlarged due to a tumor or infection. White blood cells are located within the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are enlarged when the body is infected due to enhanced production of some cells and division of activated T and B cells. 

The major nodes can be found in the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, pelvis and groin. Other parts of the lymphatic system include the spleen, thymus andbone marrow.

Lymph nodes:

Lymph Nodes• Swellings at certain points in the

lymphatic vessels• Stores lymphocytes and phagocytes

(WBCs)• Releases them into the blood stream• Thus, lymph nodes play an important

role in body’s defence

The major nodes can be found in the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, pelvis and groin. Other parts of the lymphatic system include the spleen, thymus and bone marrow.

A clear fluid called lymph flows through the lymph vessels. It contains white blood cells called Lymphocytes , special proteins called antibodies, and some waste products. Lymphocytes and antibodies are important parts of your body's immune system.

The lymph fluid passes through the lymph nodes, which filter out bacteria and other harmful things.

Blood circulatory system

Heart Blood Vessels Blood

Atria and Ventricles

ArteriesArteriolesCapillaries

VenulesVeins

Plasma Blood Cells

RBCWBCPlatelets

Lymphatic system

Phoenix Bodyworks, www.phoenixbodyworkspdx.com, 503-577-5512

Lymph, Why are you so slow? Reason why Lymph may be slow

◦ Sitting all day and not breathing fully◦ Sitting all day and not exercising enough◦ Being sick and bed ridden◦ Poor diet eg. Too much caffeine, sugar, fats, etc,

you get the picture. ◦ Environmental contaminates overload the lymph

system and produce more waste than the nodes can remove. Ex. sunscreens, deodorants, cologne, food, cleaning products

Lymphoma is a general name for cancer of tissue of the lymphatic system.

When the person have lymphoma, large numbers of abnormal lymphocytes are made. These abnormal lymphocytes replace some of the normal lymphocytes. This can disrupt the immune system and reduce the ability to fight infections. The lymph nodes also become swollen, forming painless lumps (tumours).

Lymphoma