Basic Anatomy and Physiology

This article explains the composition and functions of lymphatic vessels, nodes, spleen, tonsils, and thymus. It also describes the relationship between blood, tissue fluid, and lymph. The article provides a detailed understanding of the lymphatic system.

Basic Anatomy and Physiology.

Table of Contents
Describe the composition and main functions of lymph............................................................3
Identify the locations and functions of the main lymphatic vessels of the body......................4
Describe the location and functions of the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils and thymus.............5
Define the relationship between blood, tissue fluid and lymph.................................................5
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................6

Describe the composition and main functions of lymph.
The composition of Lymph can involve such as lymph plasma, lymphoid organs and
lymph corpuscles (Lymph Formation and Composition, 2022). The composition of Lymph is as
described below:
Lymph plasma: It is an interstitial fluid and can involve the same content as in the plasma. It can
involve the reduced calcium, low protein content, high concentration of glucose and reduced
phosphorous. In the lymph plasma, the globulin proteins are also found in this containing actual
antibodies.
Lymphoid organs: The Lymphoid organs can involve various lymph nodes within human body.
The lymph nodes are generally associated to the lymphatic vessels that can circulate the lymph
all over the human body. In the lymphatic system, the tonsils, thymus, spleen and adenoids all
can comprise to form a system known as lymphatic system. Among all the organs, spleen is
generally considered as a largest lymphatic organ within the system.
Lymph corpuscles: The Lymph corpuscles can contain amoeboid and leucocytes cells. The
corpuscles can involve the specialized lymphocytes which are allowed in the producing
responses of immune within the human body.
Functions of Lymph: It can involve various essential functions and are as mentioned below:
 It can help to keep the cells of human body moist.
 It can help to transport the antibodies and lymphocytes towards the blood.
 It can help to transport the oxygen, hormones as well as the nutrients towards the various
parts of human body and can remove the extra metabolic waste inside the body cells.
Figure 1 Composition of Lymph

Identify the locations and functions of the main lymphatic vessels of the body.
The functions of lymphatic vessels and ducts are as mentioned below in a
series from left to right.
1.Palatine tonsils: these tonsils can form the protective ring of reticulo-
endothelial cells against the harmful microorganisms that may enter the oral
cavity or nose as well. It can effectively prevent infections in the both
digestive and respiratory tracts by simply producing the antibodies which can
help kill the agents that causes infection.
2. Submandibular nodes: The nodes can filter the lymphatic fluids of
unwanted debris as well as the bacteria and can serve as an initial warning
indicator for the occurrence of infections.
3. Cervical nodes: The nodes are mainly responsible for fighting with
infections. It can do this by simply attacking as well as destroying the germs
or pathogens which are specifically carried into the node through the lymph
fluids.
4. Right internal jugular vein: Its main function is to gather the blood from
brain, skull, the superficial regions of face as well as the majority of neck
region.
5. Right lymphatic duct: The duct is specifically used to drain the right thorax,
upper limb, neck and head.
6. Right subclavian vein: It can drain the deoxygenated blood from the upper
area of the human body consisting shoulders, arms and can transport the
deoxygenated back to the heart. In addition to this, subclavian is also used to
gather the lymph fluids from the lymphatic system from the internal jugular
vein.
7. Thymus: It can play an essential role within immune system by creating the
T-cells. As these cells can find and destroy the pathogens such as bacteria
circulating within the bloodstream. It can also store the immature
lymphocytes and prepare these cells to become active T-cells. The cells can
help to destroy the cancerous or infected cells.
8. Lymphatic vessel: It can help to manage the fluid levels within human
body. The vessels can also deal with cancerous cells. The vessels can absorb
the some of the body fats in the diet from the intestine.
9. Thoracic duct: Its main function is to transport the lymph back into the
circulatory system.

10. Cisterna chyli: It can receive the fatty chyle from the intestine and therefore acts as a conduit for
the lipid products of digestion. It gathers the lymphatic from the lower extremities through right and
left lateral branches as well as from the intestinal tract through an intestinal pouch.
11. Intestinal node: It’s role involves the regulation of tissue fluid homeostasis, and transport the
nutrients.
12. Large intestine: It can absorb the electrolyte and water, producing and absorbing the vitamins as
well as forming and impelling the feces towards the rectum for eliminations.
13. Appendix: It can act as a storehouse for good bacteria, can rebooting the digestive system after
diarrheal disease.
14. Red Bone marrow: It is specifically involved in the production of blood cells.
15. Lymphatic vessel: It can help to manage the fluid levels within human body. The vessels can
also deal with cancerous cells. The vessels can absorb the some of the body fats in the diet from the
intestine.
16. Left internal jugular vein: It can help to gather the blood from skull, brain, the superficial regions
of face as well as the majority of neck region.
17. Thoracic duct: Its main function is to transport the lymph back into the circulatory system.
18. Left Subclavian vein: It is also used to gather the lymph fluids from the lymphatic system from
the internal jugular vein. It can also drain the deoxygenated blood from the upper area of the human
body consisting shoulders, arms and can transport the deoxygenated back to the heart.
19. Axillary Node: It can perform function of conduction and filtration of the lymph from upper
limb, pectoral area and an upper back.
20. Spleen: It can store blood, filters blood by simply removing the cellular waste and getting rid of
the damaged and old blood cells. It can make white blood cells and the antibodies which can help the
humans to fight with infections.
21. Small Intestine: It helps to digest the coming food from stomach. It also absorbs the nutrients and
water from food.
22. Aggregated lymphatic follicles: It can monitor the intestinal bacteria population and prevent the
growth of toxic bacteria within intestine.
23. Iliac Node: It can help to drain the other lymph nodes within the pelvis inside human body.
24. Inguinal Node: it can filter lymphatic drainage initiating from the groin, vulvar, penile and the
rectal regions.

Describe the location and functions of the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils and thymus.
Lymph nodes: It is positioned throughout the human body, consisting the neck, groin, armpit,
among the lungs, around gut as well. It can perform the three major functions inside human body
such as transportation of fat, tissue drainage and an immune response (Trac and Chung, 2021).
Spleen: It is the largest Lymphatic organ and is positioned on the left side of the ribs and above
stomach. It can help to filter as well as store blood and can produces the white blood cells which
can fight the infection or illness.
Tonsils: It is located near the entrance of the human respiratory tract and a digestive system. It
can play an important role in the immune system. It can also act as a frontline defense forming
the initial immunological responses to inhaled or the ingested toxic microorganisms or
pathogens.
Thymus: It is positioned in the upper chest beneath the breast bone. The thymus can mature a
particular type of white blood cells which can help to fight off the foreign pathogens or
microorganisms (Lymphatic System, 2022).
Define the relationship between blood, tissue fluid and lymph.
Blood: It can move through blood vessels and the lymph. It can transport nutrients, gases and the
other metabolic waste.
Tissue Fluid: It is generally a part of extracellular fluid that can flow among the cells and blood
vessels as well. It is specifically found in the spaces among the cells and tissues.
Lymph: It is generally a clear fluid draining out via the lymphatic system. It is situated in the
lymphatic vessels (To, Isaac and Andrechek, 2020).

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
To, B., Isaac, D. and Andrechek, E.R., 2020. Studying lymphatic metastasis in breast cancer:
current models, strategies, and clinical perspectives. Journal of Mammary Gland Biology
and Neoplasia, 25(3), pp.191-203.
Trac, N. and Chung, E.J., 2021. Overcoming physiological barriers by nanoparticles for
intravenous drug delivery to the lymph nodes. Experimental Biology and
Medicine, 246(22), pp.2358-2371.
Online:
Lymphatic System, 2022 [Online] Available through:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21199-lymphatic-system#:~:text=Thymus%3A
%20This%20organ%20is%20located,and%20the%20air%20you%20breathe.
Lymph Formation and Composition, 2022 [Online] Available through:
https://study.com/learn/lesson/formation-composition-lymphs.html