Lymphatics + immunity Flashcards
lymphatic system role
protect against disease
3 things lymphocytes respond to
environmental pathogens
toxins
abnormal body cells eg. cancer cells
structure of lymphatic vessels
- endothelial cells loosely bound together w/ overlap
-> acts as one way valve for entry of interstitial fluid
where does lymph from the right upper limb + right side of head + neck enter
right lymphatic duct -> into right subclavian vein
where does lymph from the rest of the body enter
thoracic duct -> empties into left subclavian vein
what is lymphedema
- blockage of lymph drainage
- interstitial fluid + causes severe swelling
- fluid becomes stagnant + causes accumulation of toxins + pathogens
where are lymphocytes produced
lymphoid tissues
lymphoid organs
red bone marrow
-> travel to site of infection as part of immune response
where are T and B cells produced
T = thymus
B = bone marrow
function of cytotoxic T cells
attack virally infected cells
specific cell mediated immunity
function of memory T cells
formed in response to foreign substances
remain in body to give ‘immunity’
function of T helper cells
stimulate function of T and B cells
function of suppressor T cells
inhibit function of T + B cells
function of B cells + effects
- differentiate into plasma cells
- plasma cells produce + secrete antibodies
-> binding of a specific antibody to a specific target antigen initiates specific antibody mediated immunity
NK cells function
- responsible for immunological surveillance
- attack foreign cells, virus infected cells + cancer cells
- non-specific immunity
Distinguish b/t lymphoid tissues + lymphoid nodules
lymphoid tissues = connective tissue dominated by lymphocytes
lymphoid nodules = small, localised collection of lymphoid tissue
-> eg. respiratory tract (tonsils)
function of the thymus
- produce hormones that develop + maintain normal immune system function
-> thymosin = protein produced in thymus that promotes production of lymphocytes
3 functions of the spleen
- removal of abnormal blood cells + other blood components by phagocytosis
- storage of iron recycled from RBCs
- initiation of immune responses by B + T cells in response to antigens in circulating blood