Chpater 20-21 Flashcards
Lymphoid organs and tissues
provide structural basis of immune system by housing phagocytic cells and lymphocytes
– Structures include spleen, thymus, tonsils, lymph nodes, other lymphoid tissues
Lymphatic system
returns interstitial fluid and leaked plasma
proteins back to blood.
– Circulates ~ 3L interstitial fluid per day
– Once interstitial fluid enters lymphatics, it is called lymph
* Lymphatic vessels offer a one-way system, ensuring lymph flows
only toward heart
Lymphatic capillaries
- Blind-ended vessels that weave between tissue cells and
blood capillaries
– Similar to blood capillaries, but more permeable
– Can take up larger molecules and particles that blood
capillaries cannot
§ Example: proteins, cell debris, pathogens, and cancer
cells
§ Can act as route for pathogens or cancer cells to travel
throughout body
What are the two specialized structures that increase permeability
- Endothelial cells overlap loosely to
form one-way minivalves - Minivalves are anchored by collagen filaments to matrix, so increases in ECF volume opens minivalves even more
Lymphoid cells consist of
(1) immune system cells found in lymphoid tissue and
(2)supporting cells that form lymphoid tissue structures
Lymphocytes
Cells of the adaptive immune system; mature into one of two
main types
– T cells (T lymphocytes)
– B cells (B lymphocytes)
T cells
manage immune response, and some also attack and destroy infected cells
T cells
manage immune response, and some also attack and destroy infected cells
B cells
produce plasma cells, which secrete antibodies
– Antibodies mark antigens for destruction by phagocytosis or other means
Macrophages
phagocytize foreign substances and help activate T cells
Dendritic cells
capture antigens and deliver them to lymph nodes; also
help activate T cells
Main function of lymphoid tissue
– Houses and provides proliferation sites for
lymphocytes
reticular
connective tissue
a type of loose
connective tissue
– Macrophages live on reticular fibers
– Spaces between fibers offer a
place for lymphocytes to occupy
when they return from patrolling
body
Two main types of lymphoid tissues
Diffuse lymphoid tissue
Two main types of lymphoid tissues
Diffuse lymphoid tissue
Lymphoid follicles (nodules)
Lymphoid follicles (nodules)
solid, spherical bodies consisting of tightly packed
lymphoid cells and reticular fibers
§ Contain germinal centers of proliferating B cells
§ May form part of larger lymphoid organs (nodes)
§ Isolated aggregations of Peyer’s patches and in appendix
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 organs are grouped into two
functional categories
Primary lymphoid organs
Secondary lymphoid organ
Primary lymphoid organs
areas where T and B cells mature—red bone marrow and thymus
§ T and B cells originate in bone
marrow, but only B cells matures
there; T cells mature in thymus
Secondary lymphoid organ
areas where mature lymphocytes first encounter their antigen and become activated
§ Nodes, spleen, MALT (mucosa-
associated lymphoid tissue) and
diffuse lymphoid tissues
Lymph nodes
principal secondary lymphoid organs of body
->Hundreds of nodes are found throughout body
– Most are embedded deep in connective tissue in clusters
along lymphatic vessels
– Some are nearer to body surface in inguinal, axillary,
and cervical regions of body where collecting vessels
converge into trunks
Two main functions of lymph nodes
- Cleansing the lymph: act as lymph “filters”
§ Macrophages remove and destroy microorganisms and
debris that enters lymph
– Prevent unwanted substances from being delivered to
blood - Immune system activation: offer a place for lymphocytes to become activated and mount an attack against antigens