Diagnose lymphedema according to cause, pathophysiology, and stage

The lymphatic system is interrelated with all of the other systems of the body. Its primary roles include conducting immune system surveillance, assisting the cardiovascular system to maintain fluid homeostasis, and aiding the digestive system in the breakdown of longchain fatty acids. The immunological functions involve both the immediate response to pathogens and the longterm resistance to repeated exposure to pathogens.

A N A T O M Y O F T H E L Y M P H S Y S T E M

The body's immunological function is performed by the lymphoid organs, including the spleen, thymus, tonsils, Peyer's patches located in the small intestine, bone marrow, and lymph nodes (FIGURE 51).

FIGURE 51

Anatomy of the immune system

S p l e e n provides lymphocyte proliferation, immune surveillance, and immune response; removes old or damage platelets and blood cells from the blood; removes debris and foreign matter from the blood. It has other functions not related to the lymph system that are not discussed here.

T h y m u s secretes thymosin and thymopoietin, hormones that enable Tlymphocytes to become activated against specific pathogens; it does not directly fight the antigens.

T o n s i l s capture and remove pathogens in the airway during inhalation.

Peyer's patches, structurally similar to tonsils, are located in small intestines. They destroy bacteria in the intestines and generate “memory lymphocytes” for longterm immunity.

B o n e m a r r o w, also called myeloid tissue, is responsible for production of all the cells of the immune system through the process of hemopoiesis. The stem cells become common myeloid stem cells or common lymphoid stem cells that further differentiate into red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.

L y m p h n o d e s are the biological filter station for antigens present in lymph fluid; responsible for purifying and draining lymph fluid.

Caritas Bianchi College of Careers

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