Lymphatic System Flashcards
Lymph
The fluid of the lymphatic system – contains nutrients as well as toxins
Lymphatic vessesls
Transport lymph from peripheral tissue to the circulatory system
Lymph nodes
Monitors lymph composition, filter through efferent and afferent vessels, pathogen location, located all over the body. Three areas of clusters of nodes – groin, arm pits and neck
Spleen
Monitors composition of blood, responds to foreign substances through stimulation of lymphocytes (immune response)
Thymus Gland
Located behind the sternum – lymphocyte production
How does the lymphatic system contribute to maintaining fluid balance within the body?
-fluid passes from the blood capillaries to body tissues
- less fluid passes from tissue to the blood
-There is around a 3 litre difference - less passes from tissue to blood
T-lymphocytes
Produced in the red bone marrow, they trigger and enhance all immune responses.
B-lymphocytes
A cell that produces and secretes antibodies
What are Tonsils?
Clusters of lymph nodes under the oral epithelial lining
Concentration of lymphocytes and macrophages in this = protection against pathogens
If enlarged they can interfere with breathing
Provide a definition of immunity:
Ability to resist damage from foreign bodies eg. microorganisms or toxins
Innate
We are born with innate immunity. It is non-specific, which means that the innate cells are not able to distinguish one type of pathogen from another. The principal role of this system is to form the first and second line of defence against pathogens. These defences include the skin, phagocytic white blood cells, antimicrobial chemicals, the inflammatory response, and the onset of fever.
Mechanical barriers e.g. the skin prevent passage of microbes into the system
Adaptive
Adaptive (acquired) immunity is the body’s ability to recognize and respond to specific foreign substances, known as antigens (microbes, parts of microbes, or non-microbial substances, such as pollen). When an antigen is introduced into the body, it triggers the production of antibodies and white blood cells by the immune system. The response of these cells is to destroy the foreign invaders.
Clinical considerations:
Lymphoma describes groups of cancer that originate in the lymphatic system
Cancers can affect many tissues and areas of the body.
Where are T cells made
Thymus
As we get older what happens to the thymus
It degenerates so fewer cells are made so less protection from infections
What does the innate system include
- netraphils- kill the infectious cell and die
And engulf unwanted pathogens - natural killer cells- can detect when own cells have gone bad. And they detect a protien produced by our normal cells called major histocampotabilty complex. When our cells are not normal it will stop producing this. NKC will bind to the abnormal once’s and destroy it
-dentric cells- found in places that come in contact with the outside environment such as nose and lungs
What is the main job of the lymphatic system
- returns excess bodily fluid to the bloodstream
