lymphatic system Flashcards
lymphatic system
consists of lymphatic vessels and lymphoid organs
**closely associated with the cardiovascular system
lymphatic vessels/system
take up extra tissue fluid and return to to the blood stream
lymphatic capillaries absorb fats and transport them to the blood stream
lymphatic system helps with immunity to defend the body against disease
flow of lymphatic capillaries
the lymph flows one way
from lymphatic capillary system to the subclavian veins –
Where it joins Venous circulation to return to the heart
fluid begins in the interstitial fluid between the cells
most BUT NOT ALL of the fluid is returned to the heart via the veins of the cardiovascular system
fluid that is not returned through the veins of the cardiovascular system enters the lymphatic capillaries and flows into a lymphatic vessel
Lymphatic capillaries
lymphatic capillaries are closely connected to the capillaries of the cardiovascular system
lymph capillaries take up plasma fluid, which under great pressure, has been forced out of the capillaries of the circulatory system and has not been reabsorbed
this fluid bathes the cells assisting the capillaries with delivering oxygen, glucose, salts, amino acids, and other nutrients
excess tissue fluid entering the lymphatic capillaries is now called LYMPH
Lymph
excess tissue fluid entering the lymphatic capillaries is now called lymph
lymph flows from the lymphatic capillaries into larger lymphatic vessels until it eventually empties into venous blood of the cardiovascular system
Lymphatic vessels
extend throughout most sections of the body
have a one way flow valves similar in structure to the large veins of the cardiovascular system
the valves prevent back flow of lymph
the return of the lymph fluid into circulation is solely dependent on the squeezing action of skeletal muscles
**squeezing fluid one way through the lymphatic vessels
thoracic duct
All the lymphatic vessels merge before entering the venous circulation at either the thoracic duct (aka left lymphatic duct) or the right lymphatic duct, both located in the region on the human body
lymph then flows from the thoracic duct into the left subclavian vein (of the cardiovascular system
the right lymphatic duct drains into the right subclavian vein of the cardiovascular system.
Larger thoracic duct
the larger thoracic duct drains from both lower extremities, the abdomen, the left arm, the left side of both the head and neck
Right lymphatic duct
is smaller than the thoracic duct
the smaller right lymphatic duct is smaller and drains fluid from the right arm, the right side of both neck and head, and the right thoracic region
lymphoid organs
including the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and tonsils
the body has hundreds of lymph nodes which are found at junctions of lymphatic vessels
lymph node
is encapsulated in a fibrous connective tissue with many incoming and fewer outgoing lymphatic vessels
acts as a filtering center which rid the flowing lymph of infectious organisms and other debris as it passes through a series of sinuses (cortical, subscapular, medullary
Incoming vessels
Afferent vessels
flow through a network of sinuses that contain cells
a lymph then flows out of the lymph node through the efferent vessel
Efferent vessels
the lymph flows out of the incoming vessel and flows out of the lymph node through the efferent vessel
nodules
the anterior of the lymph node id divided into open spaces called nodules, containing lymphocytes and macrophages
Axilla (armpit) and groin
lymph nodes tend to be grouped together in regions of the body, particularly the axilla and groin regions
The spleen
in the upper left abdomen. The spleen functions to extract old or defective blood cells and platelets
the spleen also removes debris, foreign matter, bacteria, viruses, and toxins from blood that flows through it
encapsulated in a thin, fragile fibrous connective tissue with an incoming splenic artery and an outgoing splenic vein
interior divided into open spaces called lobules
lobules
the interior of the spleen is divided into open spaces called lobules containing lymphocytes and macrophages that carry out the functions of the spleen
splenic artery
blood enters the spleen via the splenic artery
splenic vein
blood leaves via the splenic vein
which flows to the hepatic portal vein (also called hepatic portal system)
hepatic portal vein
the hepatic portal system carries blood drained from the veins of the spleen, intestines, stomach, and pancreas to liver
the hepatic portal vein transports blood in to the liver where it is detoxified before returning to the general circulation
thymus gland
is located on the anterior surface of the heart
the thymus secretes thymosin and thymopoietin hormones which enable T lymphocytes to mature and function as part of the immune system
What does the thymus gland secrete
thymosin and thymopoietin - both of these enable T lymphocytes (T cells to mature) and function as part of the immune system
What do T cells do?
mature t cells attack body cells, which are cancerous or infected with pathogens
When is the thymus most prominent?
thymus is most prominent in newborns and becomes larger during childhood when it is most active. Growth of the thymus stops in adolescence and then glands withers away to a mass of fibrous fatty tissue by old age
Tonsils
a group of small lymphoid organs in the lateral, posterior portions of the throat
tonsils gather and destroy bacteria inhaled in food and air
lymphoid tissue of the tonsils have is invaginated by channels called crypts which trap bacteria and foreign matter
Crypts
lymphoid tissue of the tonsils is invaginated by channels called crypts which trap bacteria and foreign matter
The bacteria then work their way into the lymphoid tissue where most are destroyed.
non-specific immune system
innate immune system
serves as first line of defense through chemical and physical barriers to prevent pathogens from entering the body
the response is the same to ALL threats that attempt to enter the body
It is a generalized defense that rapidly destroys large numbers of pathogens
These are quick compared to specific immunity which takes several days to work
specific immune system (adaptive immune system)
takes several days to activate
the specific immune system is targeted and extremely effective against pathogens
The main lymphocytes involved in the specific immune responses are B and T cells
The skin and the lymphatic system
The skin is part of the innate (non-specific) immune system
very few pathogens can penetrate the intact human skin
tears and sweat produce an environment on which only good bacteria can grow, called normal flora
normal flora
beneficial bacteria that produce lactic acid, which inhibits pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria