Chapter 20- The lymphatic system Flashcards
Lymphatic system general function
Picks up fluid lost by blood capillaries
The lymphatic system consists of (4)
lymph vessels, lymph, lymphoid organs, and lymph nodes
Lymphoid organs function (3)
- Provide structural basis for immune system
- Monitors body for infection
- Houses phagocytic cells and lymphocytes
Lymphatic vessels function
Picks up protein-containing interstitial fluid that is not reabsorbed by blood capillaries. They only move fluid toward the heart.
Lymph
Interstitial fluid not reabsorbed by the capillaries (called lymph once it enters the lymph vessel).
Lymph capillaries function
Blind ended vessels that weave through capillary beds, they allow intake of large proteins.
Which structures make the lymph capillaries more permeable? (2)
- Loosely aggregated endothelial cells in walls of capillaries- form flaps that open.
- Anchoring filaments- increase in interstitial fluid pulls on anchoring filaments
Anchoring filaments function
Increase in interstitial fluid pulls on anchoring filaments. Flaps of endothelial wall open easily. As you drain more fluid into the lymphatic capillary, the pressure goes down and the trap door closes.
When do capillaries become even more permeable?
During illness/infection capillaries become even more permeable. Pathogens transported to lymph nodes, where the immune system destroys them
Lacteals
Specialized lymph capillaries for movement of fats from small intestine to bloodstream. Fats are very large, so specialized lymph vessels are necessary. Lacteals are very permeable
Lymph capillaries drain into
Collecting lymphatic vessels. These vessels drain into lymphatic trunks, which drain into lymphatic ducts.
Collecting lymphatic vessels
Where lymph capillaries drain into first. They have large lumen to create low pressure, so lymph flows through easily. In skin- vessels travel with superficial veins, in the trunk- vessels travel with deep arteries
Lymphatic trunks (5)
- Lumbar trunk (2)- drains lower extremities (legs)
- Bronchomediastinal trunk (2)- drains thorax
- Subclavian trunk (2)- drains upper extremities (arms) and superficial thoracic wall
- Jugular trunks (2)- drains head and neck
- Intestinal trunk (1)- drains digestive organs
Lymphatic ducts definition
Structures that lymphatic trunks drain into. Both ducts empty into junction at internal jugular vein and subclavian vein
Lymphatic ducts (2)
- Right lymphatic duct
2. Thoracic duct
Right lymphatic duct
Drains lymph from right upper limb, right side of head, and right thorax
Thoracic duct
Drains any part of the body that is not drained by the right lymphatic duct- left upper limb, left side of brain, left side of thorax, entire abdomen and pelvis, both lumbar trunks (right and left limbs), intestinal trunk. Usually begins at the cisterna chyli. Gets lymph from 2 lumbar trunks and intestinal trunk
Adaptations that allow lymph vessels to push lymph through vessels and back into circulation (4)
- Smooth muscle in larger vessel walls helps push lymph through
- Similar to circulation in veins- valves prevent backflow, respiratory pump
- Circulation also improved by pulsatile nature of nearby arteries
- Physical movement (skeletal muscle) is important for increasing lymph flow
How does physical movement increase lymph flow?
For infected regions- body part should be mobilized to increase rate of removal of inflammatory material- lymph is circulated through the body part faster. If you can’t move the limb, eventually the vessels will be blocked off and not be able to carry any more
What happens if lymph vessels are blocked off?
Blocking or removing lymph vessels/nodes causes severe, localized edema- nowhere for interstitial fluid to drain
Immune system cells and supporting cells that form lymphoid tissue (4)
- Lymphocytes
- Macrophages
- Dendritic cells
- Reticular cells
Lymphocytes
Immune cell- B cells and T cells. Lymphocytes regularly circulate through blood vessels, lymphoid tissue, and loose connective tissues of the body- ensures good patrol of the body for foreign bodies
B cells function
Produce plasma cells, which secrete antibodies into the blood, don’t play direct role in body defense. Antibodies put a “red flag” on foreign antigen cells- marked for destruction
Types of T cells (2)
- Helper T cell
2. Killer T cell
Helper T cell (3)
Manages/mediates immune response- helper T cell function is necessary for killer T cell function.
- Assists in maturation of B cells, macrophages, and other immunity related cells
- Stimulate an immune response to occur at an appropriate rate
- Also prevent an excessive immune response- don’t want to damage the body’s own cells
Killer T cell
Cell destroyer, kills off virus infected and cancerous cells
Macrophages
Immune cell. Phagocytize large, foreign substances and help activate T cells