Lymphatic System Flashcards
What is the main important function of the lymphatic system?
Helps to protect our bodies from infections and fight disease - invollved in immune response
How do fluids and substance move through lymphatic system?
- No pump for lymphatic system (unlike cardiovascular system)
- There are valves in lymph vessels that prevent bakflow
- Fluid is moved through action of breathing, muscular contraction and presence of adjacent vessels
Where are lymph nodes located?
Located:
* On neck
* Under our armpits
* Groins
* Abdomen
What is the importance of lymph nodes being located here?
They help protect vital organs from being infected by intercepting pathogens beforehand. Thus they are strategically placed between connection of limbs and head.
What is the primary lymphoid organ?
Bone Marrow and thymus gland
What is function of bone marrow?
Where all blood cells are made (including white blood cells)
What is function of Thymus gland?
T-cells and NK cells mature here
What is the secondary lymphoid organ?
Lymph nodes and spleen
What happens to B and T lymphocytes in lymph nodes?
B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes are activated
What is the purpose/benefit of lymph nodes?
- Having lots of B+T cells concentrated in lymph nodes increases the chance of interactions between all cell types of the adaptive immune system (3rd line)
- This speeds up response
What is special about Dendritic cells?
Dendretic cells are the phagocytes which present antigen in lymph nodes