Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Lymphatic System and other Circulatory Fluids

Lymphatic System and other Circulatory Fluids
Session overview
Description
This session will demonstrate the structure and functions of the lymphatic system.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain the anatomical structure of the lymphatic system
• Label diagram of a lymph node
• List the contents of lymph
• Describe the functions of the lymphatic system

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete:

• Capillary Dynamics and Interstitial Fluid (001-0619)
• Immunity (001-0627)

This session will initially describe the anatomical features of the lymphatic system, and then relate these features to the four main physiological functions it performs. These are:

• To help maintain intravascular volume by returning excess filtered fluid to the circulation
• To act as an important carrier system of chylomicrons from the intestine to the periphery
• The carriage of proteins from the interstitial space back into the circulation, and also of proteins manufactured in the liver into the circulation
• To carry lymphocytes from the bone marrow to the blood and from the interstitial space back into the blood