Lymphatic System Flashcards
What does the lymphatic structure system consist of?
Lymph, Lymphatic vessels, structures and organs containing lympathic tissue and red bone marrow
What is the function of the lymphatic system?
- drain excess interstitial fluid to maintain fluid balance
- absorption of fats from digestive tract that are too large to enter the blood capillaries
- carry out immune responses
What is the lymph?
Watery fluid that moves through our lymphatic system - it collects fluids from, our tissues and returns them to our blood.
Describe the structure of a lymphatic capillary & there characteristics
Thin walls only as thick as a single cell.
- closed at one end
- permeable - permits interstitial fluid to flow in but not out
- slightly larger diameter than blood capillaries
- unique one way structure
What are lymph ducts?
Lymphatic vessel that empties lymph into one of the subclavian veins
What are the two lymph ducts called?
- right lymphatic duct
- thoracic duct
What is not a function of the lymphatic and immune system?
Maintaining homeostasis
What is interstitial fluid?
Fluid found in space around cells, it comes from substances that leak out of blood capillaries
What is one major difference between lymph and interstitial fluid?
The location
What is not considered an organ of the immune system?
The thymus
Where does the left subclavian vein receive lymph from?
Thoracic duct
What system are the skeletal and respiratory pumps used in?
Lymphatic, immune and cardiovascular systems
Which organ produces a hormone that promotes maturation of T cells?
Thymus
What is one of the functions of the spleen?
Removes worn out blood cells
Which cell kills infected body cells and tumour cells?
Natural killer cells
What does NOT provide physical or chemical barrier?
Macrophages
Describe how lymphatic capillaries are one way only vessels?
The wall of the lymph capillary is composed of endothelium in which the simple squamous cells overlap to form a simple one way valve. this permits fluid to enter the capillary but prevents Fromm leaving the vessel.
What does the inability of the immune system to protect the body from a pathogen cause?
Immunodeficiency disease
What can an acute allergic response lead to?
Anaphylactic shock
What is anaphylactic shock?
When the immune system releases a flow of chemicals that can cause the body to go into shock
What are the primary lymphatic organs & what do they provide?
Where lymphocytes are formed and mature. They provide an environment for stem cells to decide and mature into B and T cells
What are the two primary lymphatic organs?
The red bone marrow and the thymus gland
What are the secondary lymphatic organs? & what do they include n?
The site where most immune response occurs - they include the lymph nodes, spleen and lymphatic nodules
What is the thymus gland?
Small gland that lies in the upper chest under breastbone. Makes and trains special white b blood cells called T cells
What are lymph nodes?
They function as a filter, foreign substances are trapped and destroyed by macrophages or immune response of lymphocytes = ie phagocytosis
Where are lymph nodes located?
Along lymphatic vessels
What does afferent mean?
Carrying toward
What does efferent mean?
Carrying away
What is the spleen?
Stores and filters blood and makes white blood cells that protect you from infection
How do we maintain healthy lymphatic system?
-healthy diet
- refrain from smoking or using any tobacco products
- reduce alcohol intake
