Chapter 22: Lymphatic System Flashcards
List the functions of the lymphatic system
- drain interstitial fluid: returns interstitial fluid leaked from blood vessels back to blood
- transport dietary fats: absorbed by the GI tract
- carry out immune responses: initiates highly specific responses against particular microbes or abnormal cells
lymph
interstitial fluid that has entered the lymphatics
lymphatic vessels (lymphatics)
carry lymph from peripheral tissues to the venous system
lymphoid tissues and lymphoid organs
- houses lymphocytes, phagocytes and other immune cells
2. structures include spleen, thymus, tonsils, lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissue
lymphatic vessels include
- lymphatic capillaries
2. larger lymphatic vessels
List the four cardinal signs of inflammation
- Redness
- Heat
- Swelling
- Pain
Pus
creamy yellow mixture of dead neutrophils + tissue/cells + living/dead pathogens
Abscess
accumulation of pus in an enclosed tissue space collagen fibers may be laid down (walling off sac of pus) may need to be surgically drained
Ulcer
superficial infection (surface of organ or tissue) outer layers of tissue sloughs off resulting in open sore
Allergy
aka Immediate Hypersensitivity or Acute (type 1) hypersensitivities
Begin in seconds after contact with allergen
Activated IgE against antigen binds to mast cells and basophils
Later encounter with the same allergen causes flood of histamine release from IgE’s resulting in induced inflammatory response
Allergen
antigen that causes allergic reaction
Two types of adaptive/specific immunity
- Humoral Immunity
2. Cellular Immunity
Stages of inflammation
- inflammatory chemical release
- vasodilation and increased vascular permeability
- phagocyte mobilization
Humoral Immunity
- Antibody-mediated immunity: antibodies, produced by lymphocytes, circulate freely in body fluids and bind temporarily to target cell, temporarily inactivate and mark for destruction by phagocytes or complement
- B Lymphocyte involvement
Cellular Immunity
Cellular-mediated immunity
T Lymphocyte involvement: act against target cell either directly or indirectly
adaptive/specific immunity
- a specific defensive system that eliminates almost any pathogen or abnormal cell in body.
- Amplifies inflammatory response and activates complement
How does cellular-mediated immunity act against target cells directly?
by killing infected cells
How does cellular-mediated immunity act against target cells indirectly?
by releasing chemicals that enhance inflammatory response; or activating other lymphocytes or macrophages
Lymphoid organs
fibrous connective tissue capsule
lymph nodes, spleen and thymus
Lymphoid cells
consist of 1) immune system cells found in lymphoid tissue and 2) supporting cells that form lymphoid tissue structures.
Immune System Cells
- Lymphocytes: T cells and B cells (protect against antigens)
- Macrophages
- Dendritic Cells
Macrophages
phagocytize foreign substances and help activate T cells
Dendritic Cells
capture antigens and deliver them to lymph nodes
help activate T cells
Supporting lymphoid Cell
-reticular cells: produce reticular fibers, called stroma, that act as scaffolding for immune cells in lymphoid organs.
Lymphoid tissue
largely composed of reticular connective tissue
- macrophages live on reticular fibers
- Spaces between fibers offer a place for lymphocytes to occupy when they return from patrolling body
diffuse lymphoid tissue
loose arrangement of lymphoid cells and some reticular fibers
found in virtually every body organ
larger collections in lamina propria of mucous membranes
lymphoid follicles (nodules)
-consisting of tightly packed lymphoid cells and reticular fibers
-contain germinal centers of proliferating B cells
may form part of larger lymphoid organs
-isolated aggregations: tonsils, peyer’s patches (intestinal wall) and appendix
Structure of a Lymph Node
- vary in shape and size but most are bean shaped: small, less than 2.5 cm
- Surrounded by external fibrous capsule
- Capsule fibers extend inwards as trabeculae
2 Main Functions of Lymph Nodes
- Cleansing the lymph: act as lymph “filters”
- macrophages remove and destroy microorganisms and debris that enters the lymph- prevents unwanted substances from being delivered to blood
- immune system activation: offer a place for lymphocytes to become activated and mount an attack against antigens
Lymph nodes have 2 histologically distinct regions:
- cortex
2. medulla
Cortex
- superficial outer cortex contains follicles with germinal centers that are dense with dividing B cells
- deep inner cortex houses T cells in transit: t cells circulate continuously among blood, lymph nodes and lymph
- abundant number of dendritic cells are closely associated with both T and B cells
Medulla
medullary cords extend inward from cortex and contain B cells, plasma cells and macrophages