Composition and functions of lymph MCQs With Answer

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Composition and functions of lymph MCQs With Answer is a focused study guide tailored for B. Pharm students exploring the lymphatic system’s biochemical makeup and physiological roles. This introduction covers lymph composition—cells (lymphocytes, macrophages), proteins, lipids (chyle), electrolytes—and core functions such as immune surveillance, transport of dietary lipids, fluid homeostasis, and drug/antigen trafficking. Emphasis is placed on clinical and pharmaceutical relevance: lymph formation, thoracic duct anatomy, lymph node filtering, and implications for lymphatic drug delivery and vaccines. Clear, concise terminology and targeted keywords help reinforce learning and exam preparation. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which of the following best describes the main cellular components of lymph?

  • Red blood cells and platelets
  • Lymphocytes and macrophages
  • Epithelial cells and fibroblasts
  • Osteoclasts and chondrocytes

Correct Answer: Lymphocytes and macrophages

Q2. The fluid that enters lymphatic capillaries primarily originates from:

  • Plasma filtered at glomeruli
  • Lacteals in the small intestine only
  • Interstitial fluid collected from tissues
  • Synovial fluid drainage

Correct Answer: Interstitial fluid collected from tissues

Q3. Which lipid-rich fluid transported by lymphatics from the intestine is called?

  • Serum
  • Chyle
  • Plasma ultrafiltrate
  • Transudate

Correct Answer: Chyle

Q4. Compared with plasma, lymph typically has:

  • Higher red blood cell count
  • Lower protein concentration
  • Higher concentration of albumin than plasma
  • More platelets

Correct Answer: Lower protein concentration

Q5. Which structure drains lymph from the majority of the body into the venous system?

  • Right lymphatic duct
  • Thoracic duct
  • Hepatic portal vein
  • Superior vena cava directly

Correct Answer: Thoracic duct

Q6. Which lymphatic vessels collect dietary lipids absorbed across intestinal villi?

  • Lacteals
  • Valveless sinuses
  • Terminal arterioles
  • Collecting ducts of kidneys

Correct Answer: Lacteals

Q7. Lymph nodes primarily function to:

  • Produce bile
  • Filter lymph and mount immune responses
  • Absorb glucose from lymph
  • Generate cerebrospinal fluid

Correct Answer: Filter lymph and mount immune responses

Q8. Which cell type in lymph nodes is essential for antigen presentation to T cells?

  • Adipocytes
  • Dendritic cells
  • Enterocytes
  • Osteoblasts

Correct Answer: Dendritic cells

Q9. The cisterna chyli is:

  • A lymph node in the axilla
  • A dilated sac collecting lymph from lower limbs and abdomen
  • A cardiac valve in the right atrium
  • A synovial structure in the knee

Correct Answer: A dilated sac collecting lymph from lower limbs and abdomen

Q10. Lymphatic capillaries differ from blood capillaries because they:

  • Have continuous tight junctions preventing fluid entry
  • Are fenestrated like glomerular capillaries
  • Have overlapping endothelial cells that allow one-way entry of fluid
  • Contain smooth muscle in their walls

Correct Answer: Have overlapping endothelial cells that allow one-way entry of fluid

Q11. Which protein class found in lymph plays a key role in immune defense and is transported from plasma?

  • Keratin
  • Globulins, including immunoglobulins
  • Collagen
  • Elastin

Correct Answer: Globulins, including immunoglobulins

Q12. A primary function of lymph in fluid balance is to:

  • Increase hydrostatic pressure in capillaries
  • Return excess interstitial fluid and proteins to the circulation
  • Absorb cerebrospinal fluid only
  • Convert interstitial fluid into urine

Correct Answer: Return excess interstitial fluid and proteins to the circulation

Q13. Which anatomical region is drained by the right lymphatic duct?

  • Lower limbs and abdomen
  • Right upper limb, right side of head and thorax
  • Entire left side of the body
  • Both lower limbs only

Correct Answer: Right upper limb, right side of head and thorax

Q14. Lymph flow toward the heart is facilitated by all EXCEPT:

  • Skeletal muscle contraction
  • Presence of one-way valves in lymphatics
  • Respiratory movements creating pressure gradients
  • High intrinsic pressure comparable to arterial pressure

Correct Answer: High intrinsic pressure comparable to arterial pressure

Q15. In B. Pharm context, why is lymphatic transport important for drug delivery?

  • It prevents any systemic absorption
  • It bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism for certain lipophilic drugs
  • It reduces lymphocyte activation against drugs
  • It removes drugs too quickly for therapeutic effect

Correct Answer: It bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism for certain lipophilic drugs

Q16. Chylomicrons enter the lymphatic system because they are:

  • Water-soluble small molecules
  • Too large to enter blood capillaries directly
  • Actively transported by RBCs
  • Degraded in the stomach before absorption

Correct Answer: Too large to enter blood capillaries directly

Q17. Which immune cell type matures in lymph nodes and is central to humoral immunity?

  • T cells
  • B cells differentiating into plasma cells
  • Neutrophils undergoing apoptosis
  • Macrophages turning into osteoclasts

Correct Answer: B cells differentiating into plasma cells

Q18. Lymph composition can change during inflammation by increasing:

  • Glucose concentration only
  • Protein and immune cell content
  • Bone mineral content
  • Urea concentration exclusively

Correct Answer: Protein and immune cell content

Q19. Lymphoscintigraphy is a diagnostic test used to:

  • Measure arterial blood gases
  • Visualize lymphatic drainage and detect obstruction or lymphedema
  • Assess cholinergic activity in nerves
  • Quantify intracranial pressure

Correct Answer: Visualize lymphatic drainage and detect obstruction or lymphedema

Q20. Which statement about lymph vs plasma oncotic pressure is true?

  • Lymph always has higher oncotic pressure than plasma
  • Lymph oncotic pressure approximates plasma but is slightly lower due to lower protein
  • Oncotic pressure is irrelevant for lymph formation
  • Plasma has no oncotic pressure

Correct Answer: Lymph oncotic pressure approximates plasma but is slightly lower due to lower protein

Q21. Peyer’s patches are lymphoid aggregates located in:

  • Bronchial mucosa
  • Small intestine, especially ileum
  • Dental pulp
  • Skin epidermis

Correct Answer: Small intestine, especially ileum

Q22. Which molecule produced in plasma is transported in lymph and contributes to antigen opsonization?

  • Hemoglobin
  • Complement proteins and immunoglobulins
  • Myosin
  • Actin

Correct Answer: Complement proteins and immunoglobulins

Q23. Lymphatic obstruction leading to protein-rich swelling of tissues is called:

  • Edema from heart failure
  • Lymphedema
  • Angioedema from allergy
  • Hydronephrosis

Correct Answer: Lymphedema

Q24. Which anatomical feature prevents backflow of lymph within collecting vessels?

  • Valves within lymphatic vessels
  • Lack of endothelial lining
  • High arterial pressure adjacent
  • Capillary sphincters

Correct Answer: Valves within lymphatic vessels

Q25. The primary site for filtration of lymph and adaptive immune activation is the:

  • Spleen only
  • Lymph node cortex and paracortex
  • Adrenal medulla
  • Pineal gland

Correct Answer: Lymph node cortex and paracortex

Q26. Which substance increases in lymph after a high-fat meal?

  • Glucose only
  • Chylomicrons and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins
  • Uric acid exclusively
  • Creatinine primarily

Correct Answer: Chylomicrons and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins

Q27. In vaccine delivery, targeting lymph nodes enhances immune response mainly because:

  • Nodes are sterile and prevent antigen degradation
  • Lymph nodes concentrate antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes for activation
  • Lymph prevents antibody formation
  • Nodes convert antigen into nutrients

Correct Answer: Lymph nodes concentrate antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes for activation

Q28. Which cell type in lymph primarily executes cytotoxic responses against infected cells?

  • B lymphocytes
  • Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells)
  • Platelets
  • Endothelial progenitor cells

Correct Answer: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells)

Q29. The endothelial junctions in lymphatic capillaries allow entry of:

  • Only gases, not macromolecules
  • Cells, proteins, and large particulate matter
  • Only water molecules
  • Only ions

Correct Answer: Cells, proteins, and large particulate matter

Q30. Lymphatic vessels are important in metastasis because they:

  • Kill all migrating cancer cells
  • Can transport tumor cells to regional lymph nodes and beyond
  • Prevent tumor cells from leaving primary site
  • Convert tumor cells to immune cells

Correct Answer: Can transport tumor cells to regional lymph nodes and beyond

Q31. Which statement is true about the protein content of lymph collected from inflamed tissue?

  • Protein content decreases during inflammation
  • Protein content increases due to enhanced vascular permeability
  • Protein composition becomes identical to urine
  • Only albumin disappears from lymph

Correct Answer: Protein content increases due to enhanced vascular permeability

Q32. In the context of drug absorption, which property favors lymphatic uptake from the gut?

  • Highly hydrophilic, low molecular weight
  • Lipophilic, association with chylomicrons
  • Strongly basic and ionized at physiological pH
  • Extensive first-pass hepatic extraction only

Correct Answer: Lipophilic, association with chylomicrons

Q33. Which structure in a lymph node is the main site for B cell proliferation and antibody production?

  • Medullary sinus
  • Germinal center of follicles
  • Capsule
  • Afferent lymphatic vessel

Correct Answer: Germinal center of follicles

Q34. Which of the following is NOT a function of the lymphatic system?

  • Drain excess interstitial fluid
  • Transport dietary lipids
  • Return plasma proteins to the blood
  • Oxygenate arterial blood

Correct Answer: Oxygenate arterial blood

Q35. Lymph from the spleen drains mainly into:

  • Directly into the thoracic duct via splenic lymphatics
  • Renal pelvis
  • Hepatic portal vein
  • Bone marrow venous sinuses

Correct Answer: Directly into the thoracic duct via splenic lymphatics

Q36. Which immunoglobulin is predominantly transported in lymph to mucosal sites?

  • IgM exclusively
  • IgA (especially secretory IgA)
  • IgE predominantly
  • IgD mainly

Correct Answer: IgA (especially secretory IgA)

Q37. Lymph formation at capillary-interstitium interface is influenced by Starling forces; an increase in capillary hydrostatic pressure leads to:

  • Reduced interstitial fluid formation
  • Increased filtration into interstitium and more lymph formation
  • Immediate reabsorption into arterial lumen
  • Decreased lymph flow due to vasoconstriction

Correct Answer: Increased filtration into interstitium and more lymph formation

Q38. Which diagnostic sign indicates disruption of lymphatic drainage in the limb?

  • Decreased skin temperature only
  • Non-pitting, protein-rich edema and limb swelling
  • Sharp localized pain without swelling
  • Increased arterial pulses in the limb

Correct Answer: Non-pitting, protein-rich edema and limb swelling

Q39. Which is a pharmacological strategy to enhance drug delivery through the lymphatics?

  • Formulating highly water-soluble ionic salts
  • Designing lipophilic prodrugs or lipid-based nanoparticles to associate with chylomicrons
  • Using molecules that are exclusively renally excreted
  • Delivering drugs only via inhalation to avoid lymphatics

Correct Answer: Designing lipophilic prodrugs or lipid-based nanoparticles to associate with chylomicrons

Q40. Which structure serves as the entry point for afferent lymph into a lymph node?

  • Efferent lymphatic vessel
  • Afferent lymphatic vessels entering the convex surface
  • Hilum only
  • Thoracic duct directly

Correct Answer: Afferent lymphatic vessels entering the convex surface

Q41. The medullary cords of a lymph node mainly contain:

  • Red blood cells and platelets
  • Plasma cells and macrophages
  • Cartilage and bone
  • Hepatocytes

Correct Answer: Plasma cells and macrophages

Q42. Which clinical condition can result from surgical removal of lymph nodes?

  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Secondary lymphedema due to impaired lymph drainage
  • Immediate improvement in lipid absorption
  • Increased vaccine efficacy systemically

Correct Answer: Secondary lymphedema due to impaired lymph drainage

Q43. Lymph transported in the thoracic duct empties into which venous junction?

  • Left internal jugular and left subclavian vein junction
  • Right atrium directly
  • Portal vein confluence
  • Superior mesenteric vein

Correct Answer: Left internal jugular and left subclavian vein junction

Q44. Which factor most increases the passage of macromolecules into lymphatics rather than blood capillaries?

  • Small molecular size and hydrophilicity
  • Larger particle size and association with lipids/chylomicrons
  • Rapid renal clearance
  • Strong binding to hemoglobin

Correct Answer: Larger particle size and association with lipids/chylomicrons

Q45. The presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in lymph nodes is characteristic of:

  • Acute bacterial lymphadenitis
  • Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Reactive hyperplasia only
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis

Correct Answer: Hodgkin lymphoma

Q46. Which of the following best describes chylomicron fate after entering lymphatics?

  • They are degraded immediately in lymphatics
  • Carried via thoracic duct into bloodstream for systemic lipid distribution
  • Converted into glucose in lymph nodes
  • Sequestered permanently in spleen

Correct Answer: Carried via thoracic duct into bloodstream for systemic lipid distribution

Q47. Which laboratory test specifically assesses immune cells or proteins in lymph fluid clinically?

  • Complete urine analysis
  • Lymph fluid cytology and flow cytometry for cell immunophenotyping
  • Blood glucose only

Correct Answer: Lymph fluid cytology and flow cytometry for cell immunophenotyping

Q48. Which statement about mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is correct?

  • MALT is absent in the gastrointestinal tract
  • MALT provides localized immune defense at mucosal surfaces
  • MALT produces digestive enzymes
  • MALT only stores fat

Correct Answer: MALT provides localized immune defense at mucosal surfaces

Q49. Lymphatic endothelial cells express specific markers; which marker is commonly used to identify them?

  • CD31/PECAM-1 only found on neurons
  • VEGFR-3 and podoplanin (D2-40)
  • Albumin as a surface antigen
  • Insulin receptor exclusive to lymphatics

Correct Answer: VEGFR-3 and podoplanin (D2-40)

Q50. For B. Pharm students, which concept links lymphatic physiology to drug safety and efficacy?

  • Lymphatics have no impact on drug distribution
  • Lymphatic transport can alter bioavailability, reduce first-pass metabolism, and influence immune responses to biologics and vaccines
  • All drugs are equally taken up by lymphatics
  • Lymphatics always inactivate drugs before systemic exposure

Correct Answer: Lymphatic transport can alter bioavailability, reduce first-pass metabolism, and influence immune responses to biologics and vaccines

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