301 Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
(192 cards)
What is the lymphatic system?
An open-ended, one-direction network of vessels and nodes that convey lymph
Returns plasma-derived interstitial fluids to bloodstream
What is lymph?
Clear-to-white fluid of WBCs (mainly lymphocytes) that attack bacteria and foreign bodies in blood
When dietary fat enters lymphatic vessels, the recovered fluid is lymph
Functions of lymphatic system
- Defends body against pathogens (bacteria, viruses and fungi)
- Develop body immunity (produce lymphocytes that produce antibodies)
- Remove excess fluids from body
- Absorption & transport fats to bloodstream
- Immune cell production (lymphocytes and antibody producing cells)
What are lymphatic vessels?
Start as lymphatic capillaries
Made of overlapping endothelial cells
What happens when fluid accumulates in tissue?
Interstitial pressure increases
Pushing flaps inwards,
Opening gaps between cells,
Allowing fluid in
Why are lymphatic capillaries different from blood capillaries?
Lymphatic are so large they allow bacteria, immune cells (macrophages) to enter
Useful for large particles to reach bloodstream
Used for dietary fat absorption in intestine
What is lymph flow?
Enabled by same forces in blood flow in veins
From lymphatic capillaries to vessels and eventually drains into bloodstream via subclavian veins
Lymph flow path through the lymph node
- Afferent lymphatics carry lymph to lymph node from peripheral tissue
Afferent lymphatics penetrate capsule of lymph node on opposite side to hilum - Afferent vessels deliver to subcapsular space (reticular fibres, macrophages, dendritic cell meshwork)
Dendritic cells involved in immune initiation response - Lymph flows into outer cortex (contains B cells within germinal centres resembling lymphoid nodules)
- Lymph flows through lymph sinuses in deep cortex (dominated by T cells)
- Lymph goes into medullary sinus, region contains B & plasma cells
- Efferent lymphatics leave node at hilum, collect lymph from medullary sinus & carry to venous circulation
What are lymph nodes?
Bean-shaped structures scattered throughout lymphatic network
Most prominent in areas where vessels converge (armpits, neck, inner elbows and groin)
Contain lymphocytes (T and B cells for adaptive immunity)
Innate vs adaptive immunity
I: Body’s first line of defence against pathogens
A: Specialised response targeting specific germs, “remembering” them
What does the adaptive immune response do in lymph nodes?
Produces activated lymphocytes and antibodies specific to the invading pathogen
Then carried by lymph to bloodstream for whenever they are needed
What are the primary lymphoid organs and functions?
Thymus and bone marrow
Where immune cells develop
Sites of lymphocyte production, maturation and selection (self and non-self)
Mature lymphocytes leave primary for secondary organs
What are the secondary lymphoid organs and functions?
Lymph nodes, spleen and MALT
Lymph nodes and spleen most organised
When they encounter pathogens and become activated
All have T and B cell activity and develop lymphoid follicles
Haematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow
(Blood-forming cells) reside in bone marrow during foetal gestation
Bone marrow remains site of haematopoiesis (creating RBCs, WBCs and platelets) in adults
Where do T lymphocytes complete maturation?
Thymus
What do stem cells require to self-renew and differentiate?
Stem cell niches
Why is a bone marrow transplant used?
Treat leukaemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma and myeloma
What are HLAs?
Human leukocyte antigens
Markers on cell surface which siblings and parents can match or need to find a donor from national bone marrow donation registry for transplant
Thymus in lymphatic system
T-cell development not complete until selection in thymus
Pass through defined developmental stages in specific thymic micro-environments to generate antigen receptors
Selected on reactivity to self MHC-peptide complexes (expressed on stromal cells)
Most T cells die here
Where do T-cell pre-cursors go from and to via what in lymphatics?
From bone marrow to thymus via blood
What are MALTs?
(Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue)
Tonsils, Peyer’s patches (lymphoid follicles in SI, part of GALT (gut)), appendix, lymphoid follicles in mucous membranes
Important features of spleen in lymphatic system
Organises immune response against blood-borne pathogens
Supplied with antigens by splenic artery
Red pulp - RBCs destroyed
White pulp - PALS with T cells and B cells
Marginal zone - trap for antigens
What does PALS stand for?
Peri-arteriolar lymphoid sheath
Lymph node main functions
Committed to regulating immune response and 1st organised structure to face antigens