Ch. 6 Lymphatic/Immune Systems Flashcards
What are the 3 functions of the lymphatic system?
- absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the small intestine
- removing waste from the tissues
- providing aid to the immune system
lacteals
specialized structures of the lymphatic system, absorb and transport the fats and fat-soluble vitamins that can’t be absorbed directly into the blood stream
What are the 4 major structures of the lymphatic system?
- lymph
- lymphatic vessels
- ducts
- lymph nodes
What are the 7 addition structures?
- tonsils
- thymus
- spleen
- lacteals
- Peyer’s patches
- vermiform appendix
- lymphocytes
Lymph
a clear, watery fluid that transports waste products and protein out of the spaces btw the cells of the body tissues. It also destroys bacteria or other pathogens that are present in the tissues
interstitial fluid
plasma from arterial blood that flows out of the capillaries and into the spaces btw the cells, it transports food, oxygen, and hormones to the cells
lymphatic capillaries
microscopic, blind-ended tubes located near the surface of the body, they separate briefly to allow lymph to enter the capillary
lymphatic vessels
located deeper within the tissues, lymph flows from the capillaries to the vessels, the vessels eventually join together to form two ducts
right lymphatic duct
collects lymph from the right side of the head and neck, the upper right quadrant of the body and the right arm, then empties into the right subclavian vein
thoracic duct
largest lymphatic vessel in the body, collects lymph from the left side of the head and neck, the upper left quadrant of the trunk, the left arm, and the entire lower portion of the trunk and both legs, empties into the left subclavian vein
lymph node
bean-shaped specialized lymphocytes that are capable of destroying pathogens
tonsils
three masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose and the upper throat that prevent pathogens from entering the body through the nose and mouth
thymus
composed primarily of lymphoid tissue, but it is an endocrine gland that assists the immune system
Peyer’s patches
located on the walls of the ileum, protects against the entry of pathogens through the digestive system
vermiform appendix
hangs from the lower portion of the cecum, protects against the entry of pathogens through the digestive system
What are the 4 functions of the spleen?
- filters microorganisms and other foreign material from the blood
- forms lymphocytes and monocytes
- destroys worn-out red blood cells and releases their hemoglobin for reuse
- stores extra erythrocytes and maintains the balance btw these cells and the plasma of the blood
lymphadenitis
swollen glands, inflammation of the lymph nodes
lymphangioma
benign tumor formed by an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels due to a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system
lymphoscintigraphy
diagnostic test that is performed to detect damage or malformations of the lymphatic vessels
lymphedema
swelling due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues
primary lymphedema
hereditary disorder due to malformation of the lymphatic system, most commonly produces swelling in the feet and legs
secondary lymphedema
caused by damage to the lymphatic system that most commonly produces swelling in the limb nearest to the damaged lymphatic vessels. Cancer treatment and trauma are the most frequent causes.
antigen
any substance that the body regards as being foreign, and includes viruses, bacteria, toxins, and transplanted tissues
antibody
disease fighting protein created by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen
immunoglobulins
bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response
plasma cells
specialized white blood cells that produce antibodies coded to destroy specific antigens
B cells
specialized lymphocytes that produce and secrete antibodies that are capable of destroying a specific antigen, most effective against viruses and bacteria circulating in the blood
dendritic cells
specialized white blood cells that patrol the body searching for antigens that produce infections
T cells
small lymphocytes that mature in the thymus and contribute to the immune defense by coordinating immune defenses and by killing infected cells on contact
interferon
family of proteins produced by T cells whose specialty is fighting viruses by slowing and stopping their multiplication
lymphokines
produced by T cells, direct the antigen-antibody response by signaling btw the cells of the immune system, the attract macrophages to the infected site and prepare them to attack the invaders
macrophage
type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills invading cells, they also remove dead cells and stimulate the action of other immune cells
phagocyte
large white blood cell that can destroy substances such as cell debris, dust, pollen, and pathogens by the process of phagocytosis
complement
group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form and are activated by contact with nonspecific antigens such as foreign blood cells or bacteria
immunity
the state of being resistant to a specific disease
allergy
an overreaction by the body to a particular antigen
opportunistic infection
caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans, but does so bc they are debilitated, like in HIV
kaposi’s sarcoma
frequently associated with HIV, it is a cancer that caused patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, or in other organs
ELISA
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood test used to screen for the presence of HIV antibodies
Western blot test
produces more accurate results than the ELISA, performed when ELISA is positive to confirm
synthetic immunoglobulins
aka immune serum, used as a postexposure preventative against certain viruses, including rabies and some types of hepatitis
synthetic interferon
used in the treatment of MS, hep C, and some cancers
monoclonal antibodies
any class of antibodies produced in the lab by identical offspring of a clone of specific cells, used to enhance immune respsone to certain malignancies
corticosteroid drug
hormone-like preparation administered primarily as an anti-inflammatory and as an immunosuppressant
cytotoxic drug
medication that kills or damages cells
pathogen
microorganism that causes a disease in humans
bacteria
one-celled microscopic organisms
bacilli
rod-shaped spore-forming bacteria, tetanus
rickettsia
small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites, rocky mt spotted fever
spirochetes
spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and are capable of movement, lyme disease
staphylococci
group of about 30 species of bacteria that form irregular groups or cluster resembling grapes, most are harmless and reside normally on the skin, but some are capable of causing serious infections
staphylococcus aureus
commonly infects wounds and causes serious problems such as toxic shock syndrome or produces food poisening
streptococci
bacteria that form a chain, most are harmless, but responsible for strep throat, meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis
septic shock
serious condition that occurs when an overwhelming bacterial infection affects the body
viruses
very small infectious agents that live only by invading other cells
varicella
chicken pox
angiogenesis
the process through which the tumor supports its growth by creating its own blood supply
antiangiogenesis
a form of treatment that disrupts the blood supply to the tumor
metastasize
the process by which cancer spreads from one place to another
metastasis
a new cancer site that results from the spreading process
carcinoma
a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
sarcoma
a malignant tumor that arises from connective tissues
lymphoma
a general term applied to malignancies affecting lymphoid tissues
antineoplastic
medication that blocks the development , growth, or proliferation of malignant cells
brachytherapy
the use of radioactive materials in contact with, or implanted into, the tissues to be treated
teletherapy
radiation therapy administered at a distance from the body
adjuvant therapy
used after the primary treatments have been completed to decrease the chance that a cancer will recur