Question

1.Why do tonsils frequently swell in response to respiratory infections?

2. A patient had several lymph nodes under their arm removed after breast cancer treatment. Which of the following is the most likely side effect?

Severely compromised immune system

Swelling of the arm

Sepsis (bacteria from lymph entering blood system)

Dehydration from interstitial fluids failing to return to blood

3. What happens to the flow of lymph when blood pressure increases?

Answer 1

Answer1 In human beings a pair of tonsils is located at the pharynx. Tonsils being a part of immune system, act as the first line of defence when any bacteria or virus tries to enter the throat. When microorganisms enter the body through the nose and mouth, they are filtered by the tonsils. The tonsils contain white blood cells which destroy the microorganism y producing inflammatory cytokines. Sometimes the tonsils themselves get infected. This causes the tonsils to swell (tonsillitis). Additionally, allergens, irritants, and gastroesophageal reflux can also cause the tonsils to enlarge Answer 2 Option B. Swelling of the arm During breast cancer surgery a separate incision is made to collect some axillary lymph nodes (under the arm) to check if it contains cancer cells. In this process some lymph vessels may get blocked thereby preventing the lymph fluid from leaving the area. Fluid accumulation causes swelling of the arm and severe pain because of which movement gets limited. Answer 3 Normally the low of lymph is low but when the capillary pressure is increased the flow rate of lymph is also high in the capillaries