Lymphatic system Flashcards
what is the lymphatic system
a network of tubes and vessels throughout the body that drain plasma/lymph from tissues and re-joins it back into the bloodstream/ circulatory system
what is the main role of the lymphatic system
managing fluid levels in the body, filtering out bacteria and housing types of white blood cells
what do lymph vessels do
lymph vessels take up tissue fluid, the lymph flows through these vessels, where it is drained back into the heart
what causes lymph vessels to take up fluid
plasma leaks out of capillaries into the intercellular spaces due to blood moving around the body which increases the pressure in capilleries, forming tissue fluid which bathes cells
tissue fluid
fluid between cells that supplies them with oxygen and nutrients
what allows for the lymoh to flow through lymph vessels and not backwards
lymph vessels are blunt ended/have valves so the lymph wont flow backwards, movement from body muscles allow the lymph to move tp the heart
what are the primary lymphoid tissues/organs
bone marrow and thymus - where lymphocytes are formed and mature
bone marrow function
produce pluripotent stem cells, including all the leukocytes involved in the immune system, b lymphocytes mature here
thymus function
where T lymphocytes mature after being released from the bone marrow,
where is the thymus
sits behind the rib cage in the upper chest
what are the secondary lymphoid tissues/organs
spleen, tonsils and lymph nodes, where lymphocytes reside in large numbers
what is the function of the spleen
filters blood passing through it - clearing bacteria, viruses and worn blood cells. contains t and b cells the detect and respond to infectious agents in the blood, contain other immune cells
what is the structure of lymph nodes
small bean shaped structures
what is the location of lymph nodes
present in armpits, groin, neck and abdomen, located along blood vessels and lymphatic vessels
