The composition of lymph most closely resembles: a) intracellular fluid. b) plasma. c) interstitial fluid. d) synovial fluid. 2. Lymphatic vessels in the skin follow veins. Lymphatic vessels in the viscera follow arteries. a) Both statements are true. b) Both statements are false. c) The first statement is true; the second is false. d) The second statement is true; the first is false 3. Lymphatic capillaries are found in tissues throughout the body except for: a) red bone marrow. b) brain. c) spinal cord. d) all of the above. 4. Which of the following is NOT the function of lymphatic system? a) It returns excess interstitial fluid to the blood. b) It transports absorbed lipid from the digestive tract to the blood. c) It recognizes and responds to the presence of cancer cells and microbes. d) It returns deoxygenated blood to the heart.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here are the correct answers and a detailed explanation for each question:
1. The composition of lymph most closely resembles:
Correct answer: c) interstitial fluid.
Lymph is a clear, slightly yellowish fluid that originates from interstitial fluid. It forms when excess interstitial fluid is collected through lymph capillaries. Because of this origin, the composition of lymph is nearly identical to interstitial fluid. It contains water, electrolytes, proteins, and sometimes cellular debris or pathogens. In contrast, plasma contains more proteins such as albumin and clotting factors, while intracellular fluid has a very different composition with more potassium and less sodium.
2. Lymphatic vessels in the skin follow veins. Lymphatic vessels in the viscera follow arteries.
Correct answer: a) Both statements are true.
The lymphatic system mimics the vascular system in its organization. In superficial tissues such as the skin, lymphatic vessels typically run alongside veins. In deeper tissues like internal organs (the viscera), they tend to follow arteries. This organization facilitates the efficient drainage of lymph from tissues and its transport back to the venous circulation.
3. Lymphatic capillaries are found in tissues throughout the body except for:
Correct answer: d) all of the above.
Lymphatic capillaries are widespread but are absent in some specific areas of the body. These include red bone marrow, the brain, and the spinal cord. In the central nervous system (CNS), cerebrospinal fluid handles waste clearance rather than the lymphatic system. Additionally, red bone marrow lacks lymphatic capillaries because it has its own mechanism for releasing and filtering blood cells.
4. Which of the following is NOT the function of lymphatic system?
Correct answer: d) It returns deoxygenated blood to the heart.
The lymphatic system has multiple roles. It maintains fluid balance by returning interstitial fluid to the bloodstream, plays a vital role in immune defense, and helps absorb dietary fats from the intestine. However, returning deoxygenated blood to the heart is the function of the venous system, not the lymphatic system.
These questions test knowledge of anatomy and physiology, especially the structure and function of the lymphatic system. Understanding these distinctions is essential for recognizing how body systems interact to maintain homeostasis.
