lymphatic system Flashcards
functions of the lymphatic system
immune defense, maintains blood volume, transport dietary lipids
lymph
derived from interstitial fluid
has less protein than plasma
enriched in lymphocytes
circulates in lymph vessels
lymph vessels
collect excess tissue fluid (interstitial fluid) and returns it to the veins
lymphatic capillaries
blind ended, very permeable, has lacteals
lymph nodes
small organs
approximately 500 in body clustered
large clusters in axillary, cervical and inguinal regions
lymph nodes functions
house white blood cells
filter lymph
activation of specific immune defense cells
enlargement of lymph nodes
lymphadenopathy
other lymphoid organs
spleen
thymus gland
MALT
spleen
what is in the red and white pulp
surrounded by fibrous capsule
red pulp = erythrocytes and macrophages
white pulp = lymphoid tissue
spleen functions
remove RBCs and platelets from circulation
filters blood
stores platelets, RBCs and WBCs
immune surveillance
RBC production in developing fetus
thymus gland
locates in the mediastinum
large in childhood and atrophies in adults
T lymphocytes mature here
MALT
mucusa associated lymphoid tissue
