Lymphatic System

1. Lymphatic System Tessa Lewis Melody Jay Tyniese Jones

2. What is it? • The lymphatic system is a group of organs and tissues that collects excess fluid in your body and returns it to your bloodstream. • The lymphatic system is connected to the immune system. • It helps your body fight pathogens. • The lymphatic system is a part of the circulatory system

3. Purpose • The purpose of the lymphatic system is to aid the immune system in getting rid of waste, debris, and cancer cells. • Also, the lymphatic system helps the digestive system by taking excess fats and giving them to other parts of the body.

4. Function • The lymphatic system sucks excess fats and soluble fats from the digestive system and distributes them throughout the body. • The lymphatic system aids the immune system by collecting and destroying cancer cells, pathogens, dead blood cells, and toxins.

5. Think of the lymphatic system as a sewer. It drains waste from the body and puts it into either the right or left drainage area. • The right drainage area only covers the right side of the chest and the right arm. • The left drainage area covers the rest of the body (left side of the chest, left arm, both legs).

6. Lymph Nodes • Lymph nodes are bean shaped organs that filter out lymph and are filled with white blood cells called lymphocytes. • Lymph nodes house critical immune cells for our body’s well being.

7. Lymph Nodes Continued… • Cervical Lymph Nodes- located in the neck • Superclavical Lymph Nodes- located along the collarbone • Mesentery Lymph Nodes- located in the abdomen • Axillary Lymph Nodes- located in the underarm region

8. Lymph Nodes Continued… • Inguinal Lymph Nodes- located in the groin • Femoral Lymph Nodes- located in the upper, inner thigh • Mediastinal Lymph Nodes- located behind the sternum and between the lung sacs

9. Lymph Vessels • The lymphatic vessels is where the lymph is transported. • The lymph moves one way: toward the heart.

10. Lymph • Lymph is a colorless liquid that moves through the lymph vessels. • Lymph consists of • Lymph is low in protein, so it may its change color and consistency after eating protein to a milky white.

11. Threats • Throat/Breast/Blood Cancer- When doctors check to see if you have cancer, they look at the last lymph node that tried to absorb the cancer, and then remove it, if possible. • Lymphedema- This occurs when the lymph tissues or lymph vessels have been ruptured or removed. Therefore lymph is not able to drain properly. The lymph then clogs up and results in swelling

12. Ways To Keep Healthy • Laughter is the best medicine- seriously! • Relaxing and deep breathing promote a healthy lymphatic system. Try meditation. • Sports. Your lymphatic system is mainly located within your muscles, so go play an hour a day!

13. Diagrams

14. Glossary: • Capillary Walls- where gases and lipophilic molecules are allowed to pass through • Lipids- a type of protein • Lymph- the liquid that comes out of capillary walls • Lymphocytes- a type of white blood cell • Lymph Vessels- thin valves that carry lymph • Soluble- able to be dissolved • Thymus- small organ under the breastbone

15. Bibliography • http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/151/ • http://www.nhlcyberfamily.org/nodes.htm • http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobookimmun.html • http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lymph-fluid.html • http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast/page1/AllPages/Print • http://www.kidport.com/reflib/science/HumanBody/Cardiovascular/LymphaticSystem.htm • http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobookimmun.html • 7th Grade Science Textbook