Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

20. The Lymphatic System

Lymphatic Vasculature

Anatomy & Physiology

20. The Lymphatic System

Lymphatic Vasculature

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Problem 28

Textbook Question

Paula's grandfather is diagnosed as having lung cancer. His physician takes biopsies of several lymph nodes from neighboring regions of the body, and Paula wonders why, since his cancer is in the lungs. What would you tell her?

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Explain to Paula that the lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that helps transport lymph fluid and plays a key role in the immune system. It is also a common pathway for the spread of cancer cells, a process known as metastasis.

Describe how cancer cells can break away from the primary tumor in the lungs and travel through the lymphatic system to nearby lymph nodes. This is why the physician is checking lymph nodes for signs of cancer spread.

Clarify that examining lymph nodes helps the physician determine the stage of the cancer. Staging provides information about how far the cancer has spread, which is critical for deciding the best treatment plan.

Discuss that lymph node biopsies can reveal whether cancer cells are present in these nodes, indicating whether the cancer has metastasized beyond the lungs. This information helps assess the severity and progression of the disease.

Conclude by emphasizing that understanding the spread of cancer through the lymphatic system allows the medical team to provide targeted and effective treatment, improving the chances of managing the disease.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Lymphatic System and Cancer Spread

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that plays a crucial role in the immune system and fluid balance. In cancer, cells can spread from the primary tumor to nearby lymph nodes, which often serve as the first site of metastasis. By examining these nodes, physicians can determine if the cancer has spread beyond the lungs, which is vital for staging the disease and planning treatment.

Biopsy Procedure

A biopsy is a medical procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue for examination. In the context of cancer, biopsies of lymph nodes help identify the presence of cancer cells, which can indicate whether the cancer has metastasized. This information is essential for making informed decisions about treatment options and prognosis.

Staging of Cancer

Staging is the process of determining the extent of cancer in the body, which includes assessing the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. Accurate staging is critical for developing an effective treatment plan and predicting outcomes. The information obtained from lymph node biopsies contributes significantly to this staging process.

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Textbook Question

Lymph nodes are densely clustered in all of the following body areas except:

a. Brain

b. The axillae

c. The groin

d. The cervical region

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Multiple Choice

Which statement below describes the lymphatic system's role in relation to the cardiovascular system?

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Textbook Question

Lymph from the right arm, the right half of the head, and the right chest is received by the

(a) Cisterna chyli

(b) Right lymphatic duct

(d) Aorta

Which of the following is NOT a function of lymphatic vessels?

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.

Explain her signs and symptoms.

Can she expect to have relief from these symptoms in time? How so?

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Multiple Choice

True or False: Lymph originating from your head is always drained through the thoracic duct.

Why is it important for lymphatic capillaries to be closely associated with cardiovascular capillaries?

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