20. The Lymphatic System

After sitting for hours on a long flight where movement is limited, people may experience some swelling in their legs and feet. Which of the following explains this phenomenon?

Anatomically, lymphatic vessels resemble

(a) Elastic arteries

(b) Muscular arteries

(c) Arterioles

(d) Medium veins

(e) The venae cavae

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

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

(c) Right thoracic duct

(d) Aorta

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?

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?

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?