9 Lymphatic System Flashcards
lymphatic system
a network of lymph vessels, ducts and nodes along with the thymus and spleen protect the body by removing pathogens
lymph nodes
the smallest organs of the lymph system, they are capsules of tissue that filter lymph and contain lymphocytes that destroy pathogens
B cells
lymphocytes that develop and mature in red bone marrow, they produce antibodies
T cells
lymphocytes that develop and mature in the thymus, they seek out and destroy infected cells
spleen
contains lymphocytes of the immune system and macrophages that filter abnormal blood cells, it also stores iron
phagocytosis
white blood cells called phagocytes protect the body by consuming pathogens
leukocytes
white blood cells that defend the body against disease, there are many types that account for 1% of circulating blood, and their numbers increase during infection
lymph node clusters
where the head and limbs meet the torso and near the intestines
physical barriers
skin, mucous membranes, tears, saliva, urine, and gastric juices
inflammation
dilated blood vessels allow more white blood cells to enter the tissues
phagocyte
a type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills invading cells by ingesting them
lymphedema
swelling due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues
lymph
begins as interstitial fluid between cells, it circulates through the body and eventually returns to venous blood
autoimmune disease
a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks itself, targeting part of a person’s own body
HIV/AIDS
a virus kills or damages the body’s immune system cells
