Lymphatic System Disorders

Suggested learning activity

Case study on disorders of the lymphatic system. Suitable examples include the effect of kwashiorkor on fluid balance and elephantiasis

Oedema

Oedema is the condition where tissue fluid accumulates, in the spaces between cells and blood capillaries, causing tissues to swell up

Oedema can be caused by high blood pressure, malnutrition and parasites

High blood pressure –

Can result in tissue fluid being produced at a faster rate than is drained away by the lymphatic system

Kwashiorkor

Deficiency of protein can result in the plasma protein being so low that it is the same concentration as the tissue fluid

Little or no tissue fluid is returned to the blood by osmosis

The lymphatic system is unable to remove the extra fluid

It gathers in the abdomen

An abdomen swollen in this way is a symptom of Kwashiorkor

This condition is a severe form of malnutrition, suffered by young children

Elephantiasis

Larvae of a type of parasitic worm are transmitted by mosquitoes

They invade the lymphatic system

Mature worms block lymph vessels, especially in the legs

This obstruction leads to elephantiasis