Lymphatic System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the immune system?

A

A cell population that inhibits all organs and defends the body from agents of disease.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the lymphatic system?

A

Network or organs and vein-like vessels that recover fluid - unrecovered from capillary filtrate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the 3 functions of the lymphatic system?

A

1) Fluid Recovery
2) Immunity
3) Lipid Absorption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is lymph?

A

Fluid, similar to plasma, has very little protein; essentially extracellular
fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does a lymphatic vessel do?

A

Transport the lymph; mechanisms of flow similar to venous return.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Characteristics of lymphatic tissues.

A

Composed of aggregates of lymphocytes and macrophages that
populate many organs in the body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Characteristics of lymphatic organs.

A

Defense cells are especially concentrated in these organs; Separated from surrounding organs by connective tissue capsules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Examples of lymphatic organs.

A

Lymph nodes. red bone marrow, spleen, etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe fluid recovery.

A

Fluid continually filters from the blood capillaries into the tissue spaces. The capillaries reabsorb about 85% of it on average. The other 15% (2 to 4 L/day) is reabsorbed by the lymphatic system and returned to the blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe immune surveillance (immunity).

A

Excess-filtered fluid picks up foreign cells and chemicals from the
tissues. Fuild passes through the lymph nodes, where immune cells are always on the lookout for foreign matter. When they detect anything potentially harmful, they activate an immune response.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe lipid absorption.

A

In the small intestine, special lymphatic vessels called lacteals absorb dietary lipids that are not absorbed by the blood capillaries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe lymphatic capillaries.

A

They penetrate nearly every tissue of the body but are absent from cartilage, bone, bone marrow, and the cornea. They are closely associated with blood capillaries but unlike them, they’re closed at one end and there is no through flow of fluid.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How do lymphatic endothelial cells differ from the endothelial cells of blood capillaries?

A

They have intercellular clefs between them so that bacteria, lymphocytes, and other cells and particles can enter along with the fluid tissue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the relationship between tissue pressure and the endothelial valves.

A

When the tissue pressure is high, it pushes the flaps open (inward) and fluid flows into the capillary. When the pressure is higher in the lymphatic capillary than in the tissue fluid, the flaps are pressed outward (closed).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the route from the tissue fluid back to the bloodstream?

A

Lymphatic capillaries → collecting vessels → 11 lymphatic trunks → two collecting ducts → subclavian veins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the flow of lymph.

A

Lymph is moved along by rhythmic contractions of lymphatic vessels. Stretching of vessels stimulates contraction and flow is aided by skeletal muscle pump. Exercise significantly increases lymphatic return.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Neutrophils

A

Respond to bacterial infections.

18
Q

Natural killer (NK) cells

A

Large lymphocytes that attack and destroy bacteria, transplanted tissue, host cells infected with viruses or that have turned cancerous

19
Q

T lymphocytes (T cells)

A

Lymphocytes that mature in the thymus and later depend on thymic hormones.

20
Q

B lymphocytes (B cells)

A

Lymphocytes that differentiate into plasma - connective tissue cells that secrete antibodies.

21
Q

Macrophages

A

Phagocytotic cells of the connective tissues. They arise from monocytes that have emigrated from the bloodstream and other macrophages. Phagocytize foreign matter. Process foreign matter and display antigenic fragments of it to certain T cells.

22
Q

Dendritic cells

A

Branched, mobile APCs found in the epidermis, mucous membranes, and lymphoid organs. Alert immune system to pathogens that have breached the body surface.

23
Q

Reticular cells

A

Branched stationary cells that contribute to the stroma of a lymphatic organ.

24
Q

Macrophages

A

Develop from monocytes or other macrophages; Phagocytize debris, bacteria, dead neutrophils, and foreign matter; Antigen-presenting cells

25
Lymphatic tissue
Aggregations of lymphocytes in the connective tissues of mucous membranes and various organs
26
What are lymphatic nodules?
Dense masses of lymphocytes and macrophages that congregate in response to pathogens - transient as pathogens are neutralized; feature of the lymph nodes, tonsils, and appendix
27
What are lymphatic organs?
Well-defined anatomical sites and ay least a partial connective tissue capsule that separates the lymphoid tissue from neighboring tissues.
28
What is the difference between primary lymphatic organs and secondary lymphatic organs?
Lymphocytes mature and become immunocompetent in primary organs, while immunocompetent cells occupy secondary organs.
29
What are considered primary lymphatic organs?
Red bone marrow and thymus
30
What are considered secondary lymphatic organs?
Lymph nodes, tonsils, and spleen
31
Red bone marrow
Involved in hematopoiesis (blood formation) and immunity
32
Thymus
Houses developing lymphocytes; Secretes hormones regulating their activity
33
What are the two functions of lymph nodes?
Cleanse the lymph; Act as a site of T and B cell activation
34
Structure of lymph nodes.
Enclosed with a fibrous capsule with trabeculae that divide the interior into compartments
35
Lymphadenitis
Swollen, painful node responding to foreign antigen
36
Lymphadenopathy
Collective term for all lymph node diseases
37
Metastasis
Cancerous cells break free from the original tumor, travel to other sites in the body, and establish new tumors (multiply)
38
Tonsils
Located at the entrance to the pharynx, where they guard against ingested and inhaled pathogens.
39
Tonsillar crypts
Bacteria gets caught -- leads to tonsil removal
40
What is the red pulp of the spleen?
Sinuses filled with erythrocytes
41
What is the white pulp of the spleen?
Lymphocytes, macrophages surrounding small branches of the splenic artery; Heavy vascularity