Chapter 9

What type of blood vessels do the lymphatic vessels most closely match? Are the functions of these two vessels similar?

Which lymphatic organ removes damaged red blood cells from circulation? What other functions does this organ have?

Describe the differences between the deep lymphatic vessels and the superficial lymphatic vessels.

What functions do the T lymphocytes and the B lymphocytes perform?

Why is the protein concentration in lymph typically more concentrated than interstitial fluid?

Lymphatic vessels have valves that prevent the movement of lymph back toward the capillary beds. What will happen to water movement across the capillary wall if the lymphatic valves are not functioning properly?

Approximate the flow rate through a lymphatic vessel with a radius of \(75 \mu \mathrm{m}\), a pressure difference of \(5 \mathrm{mmHg}\), and an overall length of \(1 \mathrm{~mm}\). The viscosity of lymph in this section of lymphatic vessels is \(1.1 \mathrm{cP}\). If a muscle surrounding the lymphatic vessel constricts the vessel so that the radius reduces to \(25 \mu \mathrm{m}\) and the pressure difference increases to \(25 \mathrm{mmHg}\), what does the flow rate become under these conditions?

There are no active pumping mechanisms to propel lymph movement through a lymph node, which is composed of many interconnected chambers. Discuss the movement of lymph through these structures. Is it likely to be laminar, steady, turbulent, and so on? How does the body ensure the proper mixing of lymph within these chambers?