Textbook Question
Compare and contrast blood, interstitial fluid, and lymph.
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Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues
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Elaine N. Marieb, Katja Hoehn 7th EditionCh. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and TissuesProblem 13
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja Hoehn 7th EditionCh. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and TissuesProblem 13Chapter 19, Problem 13
a. Which anatomical characteristic ensures that the flow of lymph through a lymph node is slow? b. Why is this desirable?
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Identify the anatomical structures involved in the flow of lymph through a lymph node, such as afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels.
Understand that lymph enters the lymph node through multiple afferent lymphatic vessels and exits through fewer efferent lymphatic vessels.
Recognize that the presence of more afferent vessels compared to efferent vessels creates a bottleneck effect, slowing down the flow of lymph.
Consider the internal structure of the lymph node, which includes a network of sinuses that further slow down lymph flow, allowing for more time for filtration.
Explain that the slow flow of lymph is desirable because it allows for more efficient filtration and immune response, as lymphocytes and macrophages have more time to identify and respond to pathogens.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Lymph Node Structure
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph fluid. They contain specialized areas called sinuses, which are lined with immune cells. The arrangement of these sinuses, along with the presence of afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels, creates a pathway that slows down lymph flow, allowing for effective filtration and immune response.
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Lymph Node Structure
Immune Response
The immune response is the body's defense mechanism against pathogens. When lymph flows slowly through lymph nodes, immune cells have more time to detect and respond to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. This enhanced interaction between lymph and immune cells is crucial for mounting an effective immune response.
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6:59Primary and Secondary Response of Adaptive Immunity
Lymphatic System Function
The lymphatic system plays a vital role in maintaining fluid balance and facilitating immune function. It transports lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. The slow flow of lymph through lymph nodes is essential for filtering out pathogens and debris, ensuring that the body can respond appropriately to infections.
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3:57Functions of the Lymphatic System
Related Practice
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Compare the structure and functions of a lymph node to those of the spleen.
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Textbook Question
A friend tells you that she has tender, swollen 'glands' along the left side of the front of her neck. You notice that she has a bandage on her left cheek that is not fully hiding a large infected cut there. Exactly what are her swollen 'glands,' and how did they become swollen?
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Textbook Question
There are no lymphatic arteries. Why isn't this a problem?
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Textbook Question
Mrs. Jackson, a 59-year-old woman, has undergone a left radical mastectomy (removal of the left breast and left axillary lymph nodes and vessels). Her left arm is severely swollen and painful, and she is unable to raise it to more than shoulder height.
a. Explain her signs and symptoms.
b. Can she expect to have relief from these symptoms in time? How so?
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Textbook Question
Once almost a rite of childhood, tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) is now rarely performed. Similarly, while ruptured spleens were once routinely removed, they are now conserved whenever possible. Why should these lymphoid organs be preserved when possible?
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