Name two lymphatic pump techniques and their primary purpose.

• A. Thoracic pump and abdominal pump; purpose is to enhance lymphatic return, reduce edema, and support immune function.
• B. Cranial pump and pedal pump; purpose is to increase arterial flow.
• C. Thoracic pump and venous pump; purpose is to raise blood pressure.
• D. Abdominal pump and cranial pump; purpose is to drain CSF.

Answer: (A)

Two lymphatic pump techniques are thoracic pump and abdominal pump. The main idea here is to stimulate lymphatic flow to move fluid and immune components toward the venous circulation, reducing edema and supporting immune function. The thoracic pump uses rhythmic compression of the chest to create pressure changes that propel lymph up the thoracic duct into the venous system. The abdominal pump complements this by compressing the abdomen to encourage lymph from the lower body and abdomen to travel toward the cisterna chyli and then up the thoracic duct. Together, these pumps enhance lymphatic return, help clear edema, and aid immune surveillance since lymph carries immune cells and antigens to lymph nodes. Other pairings focus more on arterial flow or CSF dynamics, so they don’t align with the primary aim of boosting lymphatic drainage.