The Lymphatic System

The Lymphatic System

At the end of this activity, you will be able to answer the following questions:

1) How is lymph formed?

2) Which organs clean lymph?

3) How is lymph returned to the bloodstream?

How does lymph form?

• As body tissues are nourished by blood, some fluid (about 10% of blood plasma) stays in the spaces around the tissue instead of returning to a vein.

• This clear fluid is called lymph.

What does lymph consist of?

• It contains water, electrolytes, protein, and waste from cells.

• The arrows pointing toward the venule (purple) indicate what substances should return to the blood as plasma. What stays behind becomes the lymph.

Multiple Choice

What is lymph?

• Plasma that remains in spaces in the tissues

• Plasma that returns to the blood stream

• Plasma that is filtered by the kidneys

Where does it go?

• Lymphatic capillaries conduct lymph from these tissue spaces and return it to the heart.

• There are 2 primary vessels (lymphatic ducts) that lead to one of the major veins entering the heart (where lymph reenters the blood).

Multiple Choice

Lymph flows through lymphatic vessels toward what organ?

• Lungs

• Urinary bladder

• Heart

• Stomach

The Right Lymphatic Duct drains lymph from these areas:

• the right arm

• right side of head

• neck

• chest

The Thoracic Duct

• Lymph from the rest of the body drains into this duct

Multiple Choice

Which duct drains lymph from the head?

• Right Lymphatic Duct

• Thoracic Duct

Multiple Choice

Which duct drains lymph from the legs?

• Right Lymphatic Duct

• Thoracic Duct

Multiple Choice

Which duct drains lymph from the left arm?

• Right Lymphatic Duct

• Thoracic Duct

Lymph Nodes

As lymph flows through lymphatic vessels on its way back to the heart, it will be filtered by small patches of lymphatic tissue called lymph nodes.

Each lymph node contains immune cells that target pathogens that had made their way into the tissues.

Multiple Choice

Which type of cell would most likely be found in a lymph node?

• Red Blood Cell

• White Blood Cell

• Platelet

There are 3 main types:

- Cervical (head and neck)

- Axillary (under the armpits)

- Inguinal (groin)

Note: Like veins, lymphatic vessels contain one-way valves to prevent the backflow of lymph.

Cervical Lymph Nodes

• Found in the head and neck

• Swell when you have a sore throat

Axillary Lymph Nodes

• Found under the arms 

• Breast cancer can spread to these lymph nodes

Inguinal Lymph Nodes

• Found in the groin area

• Swell from certain STIs and certain cancers

Multiple Choice

Which type of lymph node would breast cancer most likely spread to?

• Cervical

• Axillary

• Inguinal

Multiple Choice

Which type of lymph node would most likely be affected by a Sexually Transmitted Infection?

• Cervical

• Axillary

• Inguinal

Multiple Choice

Which type of lymph node would most likely swell during a sore throat?

• Cervical

• Axillary

• Inguinal

What do lymphatic organs do?

• Their main role is to protect the body from infections and cancer cells.

• They also store lymphocytes (white blood cells of the lymphatic system) to aid in immunity.

The Tonsils

These are specialized lymph nodes in the throat area.

When pathogens enter through the nose and mouth, lymphocytes will target them in these nodes and destroy them.

There are 3 kinds of tonsils, too!

Palatine Tonsils

• Located in the pharynx

• Usually the type removed in a tonsillectomy

• **Palatine refers to your palate, the roof of your mouth.

Pharyngeal Tonsils (Adenoids)

• Located around the nasal cavity

• Can interfere with breathing

• **Pharyngeal refers to your pharynx, your throat

Lingual Tonsils

• Located at the back of the tongue

• **Lingual refers to your tongue

Multiple Choice

Which type of tonsil is located at the back of your tongue?

• Palatine

• Pharyngeal

• Lingual

Multiple Choice

Which type of tonsil can interfere with breathing when swollen?

• Palatine

• Pharyngeal

• Lingual

Multiple Choice

Which type of tonsil is typically removed in a tonsillectomy?

• Palatine

• Pharyngeal

• Lingual

The Thymus

• Located in the chest area (James Bond's bowtie)

• Important in immune system development

• This is where T lymphocytes (a specific kind of white blood cell) mature

• It shrinks as you get older

Multiple Select

Which organ systems does the thymus belong to? Check ALL that apply.

• Lymphatic

• Endocrine

• Respiratory

• Immune

The Spleen

The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system. It is located below the diaphragm near the stomach.

Unlike the tonsils and lymph nodes that filter pathogens from lymph, the spleen filters pathogens directly from the blood!

What does the Spleen do?

• Cleans out pathogens in blood

• Stores extra blood until needed by the body

• Destroys worn out red blood cells

Multiple Select

Which of the following are functions of the spleen? Check ALL that apply.

• Destroys worn out red blood cells

• Helps T lymphocytes develop

• Filters pathogens that enter through the nose and mouth

• Stores extra blood until needed by the body

Let's Review...

Prepare to answer 5 questions that review these questions and more:

1) How is lymph formed

2) Which organs clean lymph?

3) How is lymph returned to the bloodstream?

Multiple Choice

What prevents lymph from flowing backward toward the tissues?

• T Lymphocytes

• Lymph Nodes

• Tonsils

• Valves

Which duct drains more lymph from the human body?

Multiple Choice

Which duct drains more lymph from the human body?

• Right Lymphatic Duct

• Thoracic Duct

Which type of cell attacks pathogens that enter?

Multiple Choice

Which type of cell attacks pathogens that enter here?

• Red Blood Cells

• White Blood Cells

• Platelets

What happens to this organ with age?

Multiple Choice

What happens to this organ over time?

• It shrinks

• It swells.

• It makes new blood.

• It is removed.

Which lymphatic organ filters blood rather than lymph?

Multiple Choice

Which lymphatic organ filters blood rather than lymph?

• Spleen

• Thymus

• Tonsils

• Adenoids

You have finished the Lymphatic System Quizizz Lesson!

If you are not satisfied with your score, then complete this activity again.