Lymphatic System Flashcards
What is the lymphatic system?
a series of vessels and nodes that collect and filter excess fluid (lymph), before returning it to the venous circulation. It forms a vital part of the body’s immune defence as well as balancing fluids and transporting fat.
What are the 3 key components of the lymphatic system?
- Lymphatic vessels and capillaries - transport lymph around the body
- Lymph nodes - act as a filter for microorganisms and cancer calls. Produce lymphocytes for immune defence
- Organs (spleen to filter blood, thymus to mature immune lymphocytes and tonsils and appendix for immune support)
What is lymph
Clear fluid that contains nutrients, oxygen and white blood cells
What is an antigen
protein on pathogens triggering an immune response
What is an antibody
protein produced by B lymphocytes to neutralize antigens
What is a macrophage
White blood cell that engulfs pathogens through phagocytosis
What is immunity
The body’s defence mechanism against infection and disease
What are 2 types of lymphocyte?
T Lymphocyte - attacks abnormal cells with chemicals
B Lymphocyte - produce antibodies to neutralise antigens (diseases)
Both provide immunity defences against specific infections
What does the spleen do?
Filters damaged red blood cells
produces and stores lymphocytes
recycles haemoglobal pigments
What do lymph nodes do?
Filters lymph immune cells
Found in the neck, groin, armpits
What is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
abnormal multiplication of B-lymphocytes
unknown causes but often linked to glandular fever and immunosuppression
Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and weakened immune system
What is leukaemia
Cancer of the white blood cells.
Symptoms include fatigue, frequent infections, breathlessness, pale skin and unusual bleeding
What is lymph node swelling
Occurs during infections as lymph nodes trap and filter pathogens
What is a pathogen
An organism that causes disease such as a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite
