Chapter 22 Flashcards
Immunity
The ability to ward off damage or disease through our defenses.
Susceptibility
Vulnerability or lack of resistance to damage or disease.
What are the two general types of immunity? Describe them:
- Innate (nonspecific) immunity: does not involve specific recognition of a microbe and acts against all microbes in the same way. Among the components of innate immunity are the first line of defense (the physical and chemical barriers of the skin and mucous membranes) and the second line of defense (antimicrobial substances, natural killer cells, phagocytes, inflammation, and fever). Innate immune responses represent immunity’s early warning system and are designed to prevent microbes from entering the body and to help eliminate those that do gain access.
- Adaptive (specific) immunity: defenses that involve specific recognition of a microbe once it has breached the innate immunity defenses. Is based on a specific response to a specific microbe. Adaptive immunity involves lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) called T lymphocytes (T cells) and B lymphocytes (B cells). The lymphatic system is responsible for adaptive immunity.
Lymphatic (or lymphoid) system
Consists of lymph, lymphatic vessels, lymphatic tissues, and red bone marrow. Assists in circulating body fluids and helps defend the body against disease-causing agents.
Lymph
Interstitial fluid that is located within lymphatic vessels and lymphatic tissue.
Lymphatic tissue
A specialized form of reticular connective tissue that contains large numbers of lymphocytes.
What are the three primary functions of the lymphatic system?
- Drains excess interstitial fluid
- Transports dietary lipids
- Carries out immune responses
Lymphatic capillaries
Where lymphatic vessels begin. Are located in the spaces between cells, and are closed at one end. Unite to form larger lymphatic vessels.
What are the two main differences between lymphatic capillaries and blood capillaries?
- Lymphatic capillaries have greater permeability than blood capillaries and thus can absorb large molecules such as proteins and lipids.
- Lymphatic capillaries are slightly larger in diameter than blood capillaries and have a unique one-way structure that permits interstitial fluid to flow into them but not out.
Lacteals
Specialized lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine that carry dietary lipids into lymphatic vessels and ultimately into the blood. The presence of these lipids causes the lymph draining from the small intestine to appear creamy white, and this lymph is called chyle.
Describe the route of lymph
Blood capillaries (blood) → interstitial spaces (interstitial fluid) → lymphatic capillaries (lymph) → lymphatic vessels (lymph) → lymphatic trunks or ducts (lymph) → junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins (blood).
What are the five principal lymph trunks? Describe them:
- Lumbar trunks: drain lymph from the lower limbs, the wall and viscera of the pelvis, the kidneys, the adrenal glands, and the abdominal wall.
- Intestinal trunk: drain lymph from the stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen, and part of the liver.
- Bronchomediastinal trunks: drain lymph from the thoracic wall, lung, and heart.
- Subclavian trunks: drain the upper limbs.
- Jugular trunks: drain the head and neck.
True or false: lymphatic vessels contain valves
True. This ensures the one-way movement of lymph.
What two pumps help maintain the flow of lymph?
- Respiratory pump
- Skeletal muscle pump
What two groups can lymphatic organs and tissues be classified into based on their functions?
- Primary lymphatic organs: sites where stem cells divide and become immunocompetent, that is, capable of mounting an immune response. Include the red bone marrow and the thymus.
- Secondary lymphatic organs and tissues: sites where most immune responses occur. Include lymph nodes, the spleen, and lymphatic nodules (follicles).
Thymus
A bilobed organ located in the mediastinum between the sternum and the aorta. A connective tissue capsule encloses each lobe separately. Trabeculae divide each lobe into lobules.
Trabeculae
Extensions of the capsule.
What two components does each thymic lobule consist of? Describe them:
- Cortex: composed of large numbers of T cells and scattered dendritic cells, epithelial cells, and macrophages.
- Medulla: consists of widely scattered, more mature T cells, epithelial cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages.
Thymic (Hassall’s) corpuscles
Clusters of epithelial cells that become arranged into concentric layers of flat cells and become filled with keratohyalin granules and keratin. May serve as sites of T cell death in the medulla.
Lymph nodes
Located along lymphatic vessels. Are covered by a capsule of dense connective tissue that extends into the node. Trabeculae divide the node into compartments, provide support, and provide a route for blood vessels into the interior of a node. Lymph nodes function as a type of filter.
What two parts can the functional part of the lymph node be divided into?
- Cortex
- Medulla
What two parts does the cortex of the lymph node consist of? Describe them:
- Outer cortex: contains lymphatic nodules (follicles); contains B cells, follicular dendritic cells, and macrophages.
- Inner cortex: does not contain lymphatic nodules (follicles); contains T cells and dendritic cells.
Lymphatic nodules (follicles)
Egg-shaped aggregates of B cells.
What are the two types of lymphatic nodules (follicles)? Describe them:
- Primary lymphatic nodule: consists mainly of B cells. When these B cells recognize an antigen, they develop into secondary lymphatic nodules.
- Secondary lymphatic nodule: form in response to an antigen (a foreign substance) and are sites of plasma cell and memory B cell formation.
Medulla (of the lymph node)
Contains B cells, plasma cells, and macrophages.
Describe the route of lymph through a lymph node
Afferent lymphatic vessel → subcapsular sinus → trabecular sinus → medullary sinus → efferent lymphatic vessel
Hilum
A slight depression on one side of the lymph nodes that efferent lymphatic vessels emerge from. Blood vessels also enter and leave lymph nodes here.
Spleen
Is the largest single mass of lymphatic tissue in the body. Is a soft, encapsulated organ of variable size. The spleen is located in the left hypochondriac region between the stomach and diaphragm.
What are the two different kinds of tissue within the spleen? Describe them:
- White pulp: is lymphatic tissue, consisting mostly of lymphocytes and macrophages arranged around central arteries.
- Red pulp: consists of blood-filled venous sinuses and splenic cords (or Billroth’s cords). Veins are closely associated with the red pulp.
Splenic cords (Billroth’s cords)
Cords of splenic tissue. Consist of red blood cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and granulocytes.
Lymphatic nodules within the mucous membranes lining the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts and the respiratory airways are also referred to as ______.
Mucosaassociated lymphatic tissue (MALT)
Tonsils
Aggregations of lymphatic nodules in specific parts of the body. Participate in immune responses against inhaled or ingested foreign substances.
What is the difference between the pharyngeal tonsil, palatine tonsils, and lingual tonsils?
Pharyngeal tonsil: is embedded in the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
Palatine tonsils: lie at the posterior region of the oral cavity, one on either side; these are the tonsils commonly removed in a tonsillectomy.
Lingual tonsils: located at the base of the tongue, may also require removal during a tonsillectomy.
How does the epidermis of the skin function in the first line of defence?
Forms physical barrier to entrance of microbes.
How do the mucous membranes function in the first line of defence?
Inhibit entrance of many microbes, but not as effective as intact skin.
How does mucus function in the first line of defence?
Traps microbes in respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
How do hairs function in the first line of defence?
Filter out microbes and dust in nose.
How do cilia function in the first line of defence?
Together with mucus, trap and remove microbes and dust from upper respiratory tract.
How does the lacrimal apparatus function in the first line of defence?
Tears dilute and wash away irritating substances and microbes.
How does saliva function in the first line of defence?
Washes microbes from surfaces of teeth and mucous membranes of mouth.
How does urine function in the first line of defence?
Washes microbes from urethra.
How does defecation and vomiting function in the first line of defence?
Expel microbes from body.
How does sebum function in the first line of defence?
Forms protective acidic film over skin surface that inhibits growth of many microbes.
How does lysozyme function in the first line of defence?
Antimicrobial substance in perspiration, tears, saliva, nasal secretions, and tissue fluids.
How does gastric juice function in the first line of defence?
Destroys bacteria and most toxins in
stomach.
How do vaginal secretions function in the first line of defence?
Slight acidity discourages bacterial growth; flush microbes out of vagina
What are the four main types of anti-microbial substances?
- Interferons (IFNs)
- Complement system
- Iron-building proteins
- Antimicrobial proteins (AMPs)
How do interferons (IFNs) function in the second line of defence?
Protect uninfected host cells from viral infection.
How does the complement system function in the second line of defence?
Causes cytolysis of microbes; promotes phagocytosis; contributes to inflammation.
How do iron-building proteins function in the second line of defence?
Inhibit growth of certain bacteria by reducing amount of available iron.
How do antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) function in the second line of defence?
Have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and attract dendritic cells and mast cells.
How do natural killer (NK) cells function in the second line of defence?
Kill infected target cells by releasing granules that contain perforin and granzymes; phagocytes then kill released microbes.
Perforin
A proteins that inserts into the plasma membrane of the target cell and creates channels (perforations) in the membrane.
Cytolysis
The process of extracellular fluid flowing into the target cell, causing the cell to burst.