Lymphatics and immune system Flashcards
What are the main functions of the lymphatic system?
Immunity and returning interstitial fluid into the blood stream.
What are the primary lymphoid tissues/organs?
Red bone marrow/thymus (i.e. these are where lymphocytes are formed and mature)
What are the secondary lymphoid tissues and organs?
These are where lymphocytes are activated and cloned.
- lymph nodes
- tonsils
- MALT
- appendix
- spleen
leukocytes can be granular or agranular. List which belong to which category.
Granular:
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
Agranular:
Monocytes
lymphocytes
Describe lymphocytes in general
They are slightly larger than RBC’s, differential count 20-40%, They have little cytoplasm and provide defense against specific pathogens or toxins. They can be B-cells, T-cells or natural killer cells.
What is lymph?
Interstitial fluid that has entered the a lymphatic vessel
Lymphatic capillaries are closely associated with what structures in the tissues?
blood capillary networks
How do lymphatic capillaries differ from blood capillaries? (4ways)
- they originate as pockets rather than forming continuous tubes
- they have larger diameters
- have thinner walls
- typically have a flattened or irregular outline in sectional view.
How are the endothelial cells arranged in lymphatic vessels?
overlapping (to form a one way valve) and an incomplete or missing basement membrane
Where are lymphatic vessels found?
Everywhere blood flow is found, EXCEPT: CNS and bone marrow
… and not found where it doesn’t (cornea of the eye)
Do lymphatic vessels have valves?
The larger ones do. at each valve, the lymphatic vessel bulges noticeably, as valves are typically close to one another. Contraction of surrounding skeletal muscle helps move lymph.
How do we classify lymphatic vessels?
Superficial or deep.
Superficial are in the subcutaneous layer deep to skin and in areolar tissues of mucous membranes.
Deep ones run along with deep arteries and veins.
What do we call the convergence of deep and superficial lymphatic vessels?
Their convergence is called a lymphatic trunk
Where to lymphatic trunks empty?
the thoracic duct or the right lymphatic duct
Which trunks empty into the thoracic duct? (3)
- the left bronchomediastinal trunk
- left subclavian trunk
- left jugular trunk
Which trunks empty into the right lymphatic duct?
- right bronchomediastinal trunk
- right subclavian trunk
- right jugular trunk
Where does each lymphatic duct empty?
the right lymphatic duct dumps into the right subclavian vein just lateral to the right internal jugular vein.
The thoracic duct dumps into the left subclavian vein just lateral to the left internal jugular vein.
What is lymphedema?
A blockage of lymphatic drainage, causing an accumulation of toxins and pathogens. If left untreated, it can become permanent.
What are the class of lymphocytes?
- T-cells
- B-cells
- NK cells
What % of lymphocytes are T cells? Describe the three subcategories of T cells.
80%
Cytoxic T cells: attack foreign cells or body cells infected by viruses. They are the primary cells of cell-mediated immunity.
Helper T cells: stimulate the activation and function of both T cells and B cells. With regard to suppressor T cells, the Helper T cells help establish and control the sensitivity of the immune response.
Suppressor T cells: inhibit the activation and function of both T cells and B cells. The interplay between suppressor T cells and Helper T cells helps establish the sensitivity of the immune response.
What % of lymphocytes are B cells? Describe their role in immunity.
10-15%
These become plasma cells when stimulated. Plasma cells produce and secrete antibodies (Ab). They are responsible for antibody mediated immunity.
What % of lymphocytes are NK cells? What is their basic role in immunity?
5-10%
These attack foreign cells, self cells infected with viruses, and cancer cells that appear in normal tissues. Their continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues is called immune surveillance.
lymphocytes are sensitive to what/
Antigens (Ag)
Describe lymphopoeisis
Hematopoietic stem cells in the red bone marrow differentiate into lymphoid stem cells. Some migrate to the thymus (passing the blood/thymus barrier) to become various kinds of T-cells. 98% of those apoptose. The remaining can divide clonally and become involved in cell mediated immunity in peripheral tissues.
Other hemopoietic stem cells become lymphoid stem cells that differentiate into B cells and NK cells. The B cells become involved in antibody mediated immunity while the NK cells become involved in immune surveillance.
All can divide clonally.
Where are lymphocytes found?
lymphatic tissues (lymphoid nodules, MALT, tonsils) Lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, thymus, spleen)
How do we define a lymphoid organ?
They are separated from surrounding tissues with a dense fibrous capsule. These include lymph nodes, thymus, spleen.
Lymphoid tissues are what? and what can they form?
They are connective tissues dominated by lymphocytes. They can form lymphoid nodules
What are lymphoid nodules?
They are densely packed lymphocytes in an area of areolar tissue. The boundaries are indistinct (lacking a capsule)
If lymphoid nodules aggregate, what do we call those?
aggregated lymphoid nodules or Peyer’s patches.
Describe the structure of aggregated lymphoid nodules
They have a germinal center which contains dividing lymphocytes atop the underlying connective tissue. The germinal center is almost completely enclosed in mucous membrane wall of the intestine.
Describe MALT and where they are found
These are lymphoid tissues that protect epithelia in the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive tracts.
Disorders of MALT tissues include? (2)
tonsilitis and appendicitis
Tonsils are what?
Large lymphoid nodules in the walls of the pharynx. They begin to atrophy after puberty. The nasopharyngeal lymphoid nodule is called an adenoid. These used to be routinely removed in the mid 1900’s.
What are lymph nodes?
These are small lymphoid organs, about 1 inch max in diameter. They detect pathogens before they reach vital organs. They remove about 99% of pathogens and stimulate the immune response.
Describe the 6 fold path of lymph flow through a lymph node.
1) AFFERENT LYMPHATICS carry lymph to the lymph node from peripheral tissues
2) Lymph encounters DENDRITIC CELLS in the sub capsular space. These are involved in the initiation of the immune response. Some of these migrate to a lymph node bearing Ag’s from peripheral tissues.
3) Lymph then flows into the OUTER CORTEX, which contains B cells within germinal centers
4) Lymph flows through lymph sinuses in the DEEP CORTEX which is dominated by T-cells.
5) Lymph continues into the MEDULLARY SINUS, which contains B cells and plasma cells.
6)EFFERENT LYMPHATICS leave the lymph node at the hilum on the opposite end from the afferent ones. These vessels head toward venous circulation.
ADODME is Padme Amidala’s little lymphy brother.
Thymus is where lymphocytes do what?
Develop and mature
The involution of the thymus corresponds to what?
increased susceptibility to disease
Describe thymic epithelial cells
These are around blood vessels of cortex and form the blood thymus barrier. They are also around lymphocyte clusters to regulate T cell development and function.