The Lymphatic System Flashcards
What is it ?
-part of the circulatory system
-movement of fluid (lymph) back through the system into the blood
-helps fight infection
-gets rid of toxins
-network of vessels, tissues & organs
Functions
-returns intestinal fluid from tissues to the circulatory system
-pass excess proteins back into the blood stream
-filters lymph to remove waste and toxic materials
-produces and transports antibodies & lymphocytes
-transports and digests fast and fat soluble vitamins from the intestine to other sites in the body for storage
Structure of the spleen
-surrounded by a connective tissue capsule
-consists of two types of tissues called white pulp & red pulp (filters blood, destroys red blood cells)
-left hand side of the cranial abdomen
The Immune Response
-first line of defence against disease
-lymph vessels and nodes filter the lymphatic fluid containing antibodies, lymphocytes and bacteria
-transports blood cells to and from lymph node into the bones
-supports the immune response via swelling as a response to damage.
Lymph vessels
Act like veins and capillaries to transport lymph
Lymph nodes
Filter lymph to remove toxins, waste and pathogens
Lymph organs
The spleen and thymus are connected directly to the lymphatic system
Thymus
Located in the front of the heart; where T cells mature and destroy virus infected cells to fight infection.
Tonsils
Lymphoid tissue at the junction of the pharynx and oral cavity; first line of defence against microorganisms
Bone marrow
All blood cells originate (haematopeosis) in the bone
Spleen Functions
Helper B cells- identify foreign bodies or materials and trigger the immune response
Killer T Cells - find and destroy infected cells
-stores and filters the blood & makes white blood cells that protect us from infection
