Lymphatic System

Question 1

What are functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

It provides blood pressure in capillaries and maintains normal blood volume
It defends the body from microorganisms and physical trauma by acting as a “Helper system” for the CVS and immune systems

Question 2

What is lymph?

Answer 2

Basically filtered plasma

Question 3

What are the three parts of the lymphatic system?

Answer 3

Lymph (Fluid)
Lymphatic vessels (Capillaries, vessels, ducts) (Drain into the R/L subclavian veins)
Lymphoid tissues (Lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, MALT) and organs (Thymus, bone marrow)

Question 4

How do lymphatic vessels compare to veins?

Answer 4

They have thinner walls
They have larger lumens (diameter)
There are no easily identifiable tunics
They have more permeability
They also have valves

Question 5

What is the flow of lymph?

Answer 5

Capillaries, vessels, trunks, ducts

Question 6

What are the five lymphatic trunks?

Answer 6

Lumbar
Interstinal
Brochomesiastinal
Subclavian
Jugular

Question 7

What’s the difference between the two lymphatic ducts?

Answer 7

The right lymphatic duct only drains 1/4ish of the body on the upper right side but the thoracic duct (the larger one) drains the rest of the body

Question 8

What are the primary cells of the lymphoid system called?

Answer 8

Lymphocytes

Question 9

What do lymphocytes do?

Answer 9

They respond to bacteria and viruses, abnormal body cells (cancer cells), foreign proteins and toxins released by some bacteria

Question 10

What are the three types of lymphocytes?

Answer 10

T cells (Thymus-dependent cells)
B cells (bone marrow-derived cells)
NK cells (Natural killer cells)

Question 11

Where do T cells come from? Where do they go to be activated?

Answer 11

Bone marrow then they travel to the thymus gland to be activated by thymosin

Question 12

What are the types of T cells?

Answer 12

Cytotoxic T cells (attack foreign cells and viruses)
Helper T cells and suppressor T cells (coordinate immune response)
Memory T cells (Become active if same antigen appears in the body at a later date)

Question 13

Where are B cells made? Where do they mature?

Answer 13

They are made and achieve immunocompetentcy in bone marrow

Question 14

What are the two types of the B cells?

Answer 14

Plasmocytes (produce antibodies that react with antigens)
Memory B Cells (Become active if the same antigen appears at a later date

Question 15

What are NK cells also called?

Answer 15

Immunological surveillance cells

Question 16

What is cell mediated immunity?

Answer 16

Direct cell to cell attack, known as cellular immunity

Question 17

What is antibody mediated (humoral) immunity

Answer 17

The release of antibodies to bind to antigens on foreign cells

Question 18

Where is lymphoid tissue found?

Answer 18

It’s found in between the connective tissue

Question 19

Where are the areas of high concentration of lymph nodes in the body?

Answer 19

Cervical area
Axillary area
Breasts
Abdominal region
Inguinal area

Question 20

What are the parts of a lymph nodes?

Answer 20

Capsule with afferent vessels
Subcasular space
Outer cortex
Germinal center
Medulla
Medullary cords
Hilum with efferent vessels

Question 21

What does the cortex of the thymus do?

Answer 21

It receives stem cells and produces T cells from them and then sends them to the medulla of the thymus

Question 22

What does the medulla of the thymus do?

Answer 22

It stores the T cells that remain inactive until needed

Question 23

What are facts about the spleen?

Answer 23

It is the largest lymphoid organ
It is on the left edge of stomach
It consists of three parts
- Capsule
- Red Pulp (contains lots of blood)
- White Pulp (forms lymphoid nodules)

Question 24

What happens to the lymphatic system as we age?

Answer 24

T cells become less responsive to antigens
B cells become less responsive
Thymus gland diminish in size

Question 25

Where do all lymphatic vessels drain into?

Answer 25

The subclavian veins

Question 26

What is strep throat also called?

Answer 26

Tonsillitis