A + P Lymphatic and Immune Systems Flashcards
immune system
-what is it?
collection of biological structures and processes within the body that protect against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells
pathogens
microscopic organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and toxins that cause disease in a specific way
lymphatic system
-what is it?
part of the immune system and is comprised of a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the circulatory system
important structures of the lymphatic system
lymph lymphatic capillaries lymphatic vessels lymph nodes bone marrow thymus gland spleen appendix tonsils
lymph
- originates
- some plasma
- most of this tissue fluid
- the rest
originates as plasma in the blood
some plasma from arterial circulation seeps out into the surrounding tissues where it becomes tissue fluid that delivers nutrients, O2, and hormones to the cells
most of this tissue fluid (90%) absorbs cellular waste products and protein cells before entering the venous circulation as plasma
remaining tissue fluid (10%) is now known as lymph
lymphatic capillaries
- lymph leaves body tissues via
- -most are
- -the rest
- lymphatic capillaries join
lymph leaves body tissues via specialized lymphatic capillaries
-most are superficial capillaries located just below the skin
-the rest are known as deep lymphatic capillaries, which surround most of the body’s organs
lymphatic capillaries join together to form a mesh-like network of tubes, which eventually give rise to the lymphatic vessels
lymphatic vessels
- lymphatic vessels and body depth
- separated into function units called
- -characteristics
deep within the body the lymphatic vessels become progressively larger and are located near major veins
lymphatic vessels are separated into functional units called lymphangions, which have walls lined with smooth muscle and one-way valves to prevent backward lymph flow
lymph nodes
- what are they?
- contain
- function
small, spherical structures connected to lymphatic vessels that contain sinuses that house lymphocytes (mature B and T cells) and macrophages
lymph nodes filter the lymph before it returns to the circulatory system
lymphatic flow/drainage
- how does it flow?
- lymph passes through
lymph only flows upward through the body traveling from the extremities through the body toward the neck
as it travels through the body, lymph passes through lymph nodes where it is filtered
lymphatic flow organization
-organized into two separate
organized into two separate and very unequal left and right drainage areas
normally lymph does not drain across the “invisible lines” that separate these areas
structures within each area carry lymph to the base of the neck, where lymph enters the subclavian veins and once again becomes plasma in the venous circulation
bone marrow
-what is produced there?
macrophages and lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) are produced in the bone marrow
thymus gland
- what happens?
- -in response to
T cells mature in the thymus in response to thymosin release
spleen
-function
helps purify blood that passes through it by removing bacteria and worn-out or damaged red blood cells
appendix
- connected to
- houses
- with regard to immune function
connected to the cecum of the LI
houses several types of bacteria that are helpful for digestion
with regard to immune function, it is supposedly rich in lymphocytes and may release antigens during fetal development that elicit antibody production
tonsils
-function
specialized lymphatic tissues that represent the body’s first line of defense against ingested or inhaled pathogens
important components of the immune system
antibodies (immunoglobins)
antigens
leukocytes
interleukins
antibodies (immunoglobins)
- produced from
- what makes them useful?
- what happens to “marked” pathogens
proteins produced from B cells that are designed to protect against pathogens
ability to recognize specific pathogens makes them useful for defense against foreign invaders
pathogens that are “marked” with antibodies are phagocytized or removed from the body
5 classes of human antibodies
IgA IgD IgE IgG IgM
antigens
- what are they
- usually
molecules that antibodies are capable of recognizing
usually a protein or carbohydrate chain bound to a pathogen
leukocyte
- what is it?
- types
WBC that come in several variants types -neutrophils -eosinophils -basophils -monocytes -lymphocytes
neutrophils
- what are they?
- function
microphages that phagocytize pathogens
eosinophils
- what are they?
- function
microphages that phagocytize pathogens
basophils
-function
release histamine, which contributes to the inflammatory response at a site of injury or infection
monocytes
- what are they?
- in response to
- function
macrophages
in response to inflammation signals, they move to the site of injury or infection and divide/differentiate into macrophages for phagocytosis
lymphocytes
-produced in
produced in red bone marrow, lymphatic tissues (e.g. tonsils) and lymphatic organs (e.g. spleen, thymus)