LYMPHATIC SYSTEM The lymphatic system communicates between the blood and tissue fluids.

The lymph atic system consists of: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Lymph capillaries Lymph vessels The t horacic duct The right lymphatic duct Lymph nodes The other lymphatic tissue Lymph capillaries are small fine capillary vessels within the tissue spaces whic h have to drain water and particles from the tissue spaces. The lymph capillarie s are more permeable than blood capillaries. Capillaries join together to form l arger lymphatic vessels. The fluid which flows inside the lymphatic capillaries and vessels is known as Lymph. The lymph is returned to the venous blood through two large lymphatic vessels, namely thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct, whi ch opens into the left and right subclavian veins respectively. The lymph vessel s have numerous nodular bodies like the beads in the strings. These beads are kn own as lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are the bean or kidney shaped bead found in the lymphatic vessels. They vary in size from as small as pin head to as large as si ze of an almond. Each node has concave surface called hilum. At the hilum the bl ood vessels supplying the node enter ad leave. The lymph enters the gland by aff erent vessels and leaves the nodes by efferent vessels. The lymph nodes are arra nged in deep and superficial groups. The lymph nodes lie in axilla, neck, abdome n, and groin. FUNCTIONS 1. Lymph nodes filter the lymph leaving behind the parti cles which would not normally be found in serum. 2. The lymph nodes provide an e ffective barrier against the spread of noxious particulate matter.

3. Lymph nodes are involved in the production of lymphocytes and antibodies. SPL EEN Spleen is the largest lymphatic organ of the body. It is slightly oval in sh ape. The spleen lies in the left hypochondriac region of the abdominal cavity between fundus and diaphragm. It varies in size but usually it is about 12 cm long, 7 c m wide and 2.5 cm thick. The spleen is covered by fibroelastic capsule which ext ends into the organ to form the trabeculae. The cellular element of spleen is kn own as splenic pulp.

FUNCTION 1. Phagocytosis: Spleen destroys the worn out RBC , bacteria and platel ets. 2. Haemopoietic organ: Spleen is involved in the production of small mount of RBC in the fetus. 3. Reservoir of RBC: Spleen sores blood which it liberates during condition of stress. 4. Formation of Antibodies and Anti toxins: Spleen p rovide defense against infections by producing antibodies and antitoxins. VARIOU S LYMPHOID TISSUES OF THE BODY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Lymph nodes Tonsils Payer's patche s Spleen Thymus LYMPH The fluid within the lymph capillaries and vessels is known as lymph The lymph is similar in composition to blood but concentration of various consti tuents is different. The lymph has no blood platelets but has lymphocytes. FUNCT IONS 1. The lymph gland functions as filters for microbes. 2. Lymph gland provid es lymphocytes to the blood. 3. Lymph transports nutrients and oxygen from blood to the tissues and removes waste products from the tissues to the blood. 4. The lacteals help in the absorption of fats and carry it to systemic circulation. T HYMUS Thymus gland is situated in the upper part of the mediastinum behind the s ternum. At birth its weight is about 12 gm, and then it increases in size and pu berty it weighs between 30-40 gm s. And then shrinks again. The thymus is a

bi lobed gland covered by a fibrous capsule which extends into the gland forming lobules. The lobules are divided into the inner medulla and outer cortex. FUNCT ION Thymus gland controls the production of T Lymphocytes by bone marrow and pro duction of antibodies. Multiple Choice Questions: 1. Plasma represents ___% of t otal blood volume a) 35% b) 45% c) 55% d) 65% 2. Albumin/ Globulin is a) 1:1 b) 1.2 :1 c) 1.7 :1 d) 2:1 3. pH of blood is a) 7.0 b) 7.2 c) 7.4 d) 7.6 4. Colloidal osmotic pressure is c ontrolled by following protein a) Prealbumin b) Albumin c) Fibrinogen d) Prothro mbin 5. Function of transferrin is a) Binds with copper b) Growth promoting protein c ) Antiinfective protein d) Regulates and controls iron absorption from GIT

6. Prealbumin functions a) Blood clotting b) Controls colloidal osmotic pressure c) Binds T3 and T4 d) Transports iron in blood 7. Cyanosis is due a) Reduced Hemoglobin levels, >0.5gm% b) Reduced Hemoglobin l evels, >1.5 gm% c) Reduced Hemoglobin levels, >2.5 gm% d) Reduced Hemoglobin lev els, >3.5 gm% 8. Life span of RBC is a) 60 days b) 80 days c) 100 days d) 120 days 9. Hb F disappears by a) Birth b) 1 month c) 3-4 months d) 1 year 10. Following statements about HbF is true a) Life span of fetal RBC is 120 days b) HbF is less resistant to alkalies than HbA c) Greater affinity for 2,3 DPG d ) Formed of 22 chains 11. Hb concentration in a single RBC is called a) MCH b) MCV c) MCHC d) None

12. All are granulocytes except a) Monocytes b) Eosinophils c) Neutrophils d) Ba sophils 13. Life span of platelets is a) 2-5 days b) 8-12 days c) 15-20 days d) 20-25 da ys 14. Platelets release a) ATP b) PDGF c) 5-HT d) All o the above 15. Natural anticoagulants are all except a) Heparin b) Protein C c) Dicoumarol d) Antithrombin 16. Prothrombin is a) Coagulation factor I b) Coagulation factor II c) Coagulati on factor III d) Coagulation factor IV 17. One of the following does not constitutes lymphoid organs of the body a) Spl een b) Liver c) Thymus d) Tonsil

18. Iron in Heme is in the form of a) Ferrous ions b) Ferric ions c) Both d) Non e 19. Serum is a) b) c) d) Fibrinogen - plasma proteins. Plasma Fibrinogen +plasma proteins. Plasma plasma proteins. Plasma - Fibrinogen. 20. Destruction of platelets occur in a) spleen b) blood. c) bone marrow. d) liv er.