The basics<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n<\/span>\nComponents<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- The fluid that flows through this system is known as lymph<\/strong> and consists of fluids filtered from the extracellular matrix \u2014 mostly from the blood.<\/li>
- Lymphoid organs<\/strong> are divided into primary <\/strong>and secondary<\/strong>:
- Primary lymphoid organs include those where immune cells divide and develop: the bone marrow<\/strong> and thymus<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Secondary lymphoid organs include those where most immune reactions occur: lymph nodes<\/strong>, spleen<\/strong>, tonsils <\/strong>(Waldeyer’s tonsillary ring<\/strong>), MALT <\/strong>(mucous-associated lymphatic tissue<\/strong>).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Lymph nodes <\/strong>are small, bean-shaped structures located in very important locations throughout our bodies, they contain a filtration system consisting of specialized immune cells.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/lymphatics-600x468.jpg\")
<\/a>Figure 1. Venous angles and main lymphatic vessels<\/strong> (Credit: OpenStax, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/span>\nThe lymphatic flow of the body<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nIn general, all the lymph from the right quadrant of the body drains to the lymphatic trunk<\/strong> (or duct<\/strong>), and the remaining \u00be are to the thoracic duct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- The final destination for these two vessels are the venous angles <\/strong>(or angulus venosus<\/strong>) which are the joining point of the internal jugular vein and the subclavian vein<\/strong> on each side<\/li>
- As they drain to the venous angle, the lymph re-enters the general circulation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Abdomen and Pelvis<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe lymphatics of each structure and organ is discussed separately, but as far as we\u2019re concerned regarding the general lymphatics of the abdomen and pelvis, this lesson covers the basics of what you need to now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along the inferior vena cava and aorta and its branches, we can find aggregations of lymph nodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The direction of flow is from the inferior nodes (inguinal) upwards \u2014 all of the nodes described here will end up in the cisterna chyli, which is the largest lymphatic vessel of the abdominal region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can imagine the cisterna chyli as a highway, while the nodal groups along it are small one-way roads that join it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGroup<\/strong><\/th>Node<\/strong><\/th>Drains<\/strong><\/th>Drains to<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>Celiac<\/td> Gastroomental<\/td> Stomach<\/td> Cisterna chyli<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Gastric<\/td> Stomach<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Pyloric<\/td> Stomach (pylorus)<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Gastrosplenic<\/td> Stomach and spleen<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Pancreaticosplenic<\/td> Pancreas and spleen<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Pancreaticoduodenal, proximal nodes<\/td> Pancreas and duodenum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Hepatic<\/td> Liver<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Superior & inferior mesenteric<\/td> Pancreaticoduodenal, distal nodes<\/td> Duodenum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Juxtaintestinal, mesenteric, superior central<\/td> Small intestine<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Ileocolic<\/td> Small intestine and cecum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Epicolic, paracolic, middle colic, intermediate colic<\/td> Large intestine<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Para-rectal and epirectal<\/td> Rectum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Lumbar (para-aortic)<\/td> Aortic (left)<\/td> Inferior diaphragm, kidneys, and gonads<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Caval (right)<\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Iliac (pelvic)<\/td> External<\/td> Most of the pelvis<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Internal<\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Common<\/td> Internal and external inguinal nodes<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Inguinal<\/td> Superficial<\/td> Skin<\/td> Deep inguinal nodes<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Deep<\/td> Lower limb<\/td> Iliac nodes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Table 1. The complete lymphatic drainage of the abdomen and pelvis<\/strong>
(empty cells mean that they have the same value as the ones above them)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe cisternia chyli will continue to drain to the thoracic duct and reach the general circulation (as described above).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being familiar with all of the organs, their relations and location will help you a lot in understanding, instead of memorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lymphatics-600x236.png\")
<\/a>Lymphatic drainage of the pelvis<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>
- The fluid that flows through this system is known as lymph<\/strong> and consists of fluids filtered from the extracellular matrix \u2014 mostly from the blood.<\/li>
- Lymphoid organs<\/strong> are divided into primary <\/strong>and secondary<\/strong>:
- Primary lymphoid organs include those where immune cells divide and develop: the bone marrow<\/strong> and thymus<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Secondary lymphoid organs include those where most immune reactions occur: lymph nodes<\/strong>, spleen<\/strong>, tonsils <\/strong>(Waldeyer’s tonsillary ring<\/strong>), MALT <\/strong>(mucous-associated lymphatic tissue<\/strong>).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Lymph nodes <\/strong>are small, bean-shaped structures located in very important locations throughout our bodies, they contain a filtration system consisting of specialized immune cells.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Figure 1. Venous angles and main lymphatic vessels<\/strong> (Credit: OpenStax, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/span>\n The lymphatic flow of the body<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
In general, all the lymph from the right quadrant of the body drains to the lymphatic trunk<\/strong> (or duct<\/strong>), and the remaining \u00be are to the thoracic duct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The final destination for these two vessels are the venous angles <\/strong>(or angulus venosus<\/strong>) which are the joining point of the internal jugular vein and the subclavian vein<\/strong> on each side<\/li>
- As they drain to the venous angle, the lymph re-enters the general circulation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Abdomen and Pelvis<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
The lymphatics of each structure and organ is discussed separately, but as far as we\u2019re concerned regarding the general lymphatics of the abdomen and pelvis, this lesson covers the basics of what you need to now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along the inferior vena cava and aorta and its branches, we can find aggregations of lymph nodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The direction of flow is from the inferior nodes (inguinal) upwards \u2014 all of the nodes described here will end up in the cisterna chyli, which is the largest lymphatic vessel of the abdominal region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can imagine the cisterna chyli as a highway, while the nodal groups along it are small one-way roads that join it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Group<\/strong><\/th> Node<\/strong><\/th> Drains<\/strong><\/th> Drains to<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Celiac<\/td> Gastroomental<\/td> Stomach<\/td> Cisterna chyli<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Gastric<\/td> Stomach<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Pyloric<\/td> Stomach (pylorus)<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Gastrosplenic<\/td> Stomach and spleen<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Pancreaticosplenic<\/td> Pancreas and spleen<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Pancreaticoduodenal, proximal nodes<\/td> Pancreas and duodenum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Hepatic<\/td> Liver<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Superior & inferior mesenteric<\/td> Pancreaticoduodenal, distal nodes<\/td> Duodenum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Juxtaintestinal, mesenteric, superior central<\/td> Small intestine<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Ileocolic<\/td> Small intestine and cecum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Epicolic, paracolic, middle colic, intermediate colic<\/td> Large intestine<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Para-rectal and epirectal<\/td> Rectum<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Lumbar (para-aortic)<\/td> Aortic (left)<\/td> Inferior diaphragm, kidneys, and gonads<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Caval (right)<\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Iliac (pelvic)<\/td> External<\/td> Most of the pelvis<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Internal<\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Common<\/td> Internal and external inguinal nodes<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> Inguinal<\/td> Superficial<\/td> Skin<\/td> Deep inguinal nodes<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> Deep<\/td> Lower limb<\/td> Iliac nodes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Table 1. The complete lymphatic drainage of the abdomen and pelvis<\/strong>
(empty cells mean that they have the same value as the ones above them)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe cisternia chyli will continue to drain to the thoracic duct and reach the general circulation (as described above).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being familiar with all of the organs, their relations and location will help you a lot in understanding, instead of memorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Lymphatic drainage of the pelvis<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span> - As they drain to the venous angle, the lymph re-enters the general circulation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
- Secondary lymphoid organs include those where most immune reactions occur: lymph nodes<\/strong>, spleen<\/strong>, tonsils <\/strong>(Waldeyer’s tonsillary ring<\/strong>), MALT <\/strong>(mucous-associated lymphatic tissue<\/strong>).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Lymphoid organs<\/strong> are divided into primary <\/strong>and secondary<\/strong>:
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/lymphatics.jpg\")
<\/a>