Immune system
not an organ system, but a cell population that inhibits all organ and defends the body from agents of disease.
Lymphatic system
Fluid recovery
fluid continually filters from the blood capillaries into the tissue spaces.
Immunity
excess fluid
Lipid absorption
Lacteals in small intestine absorb dietary lipids that are not absorbed by the blood capillaries.
Lymph
clear, colorless fluid, similar to plasma, but much less protein.
(Like interstitial fluid)
Lymphatic capillaries (terminal lymphatics)
penetrate nearly every tissue in body.
endothelium creates valve like flaps that open when interstitial fluid pressure is high, and close when low.
Natural killer cells
large lymphocytes that attack and destroy bacteria, transplanted tissue, host cells infected with viruses or turned cancerous.
-immune surveillance
T lymphocytes (T cells)
mature in thymus
B lymphocytes (B cells)
Activation causes proliferation and differentiation into plasma cells the produce antibodies
-mature in bone marrow
Macrophages
(leukocytes)
Dendritic cells
alter the immune system to pathogens that have breached their surface (within a certain tissue)
Reticular cells
Branched stationary cells that contribute to the storm of a lymphatic organ.
-act as APC’s in thymus where they stay
Lymphatic tissue
prevalent in body passages open to the exterior
-respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts.
Mucose-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT)
open to outside, where pathogens get through`
Lymphatic nodules (follicles)
Peyer patches:
constant feature of the lymph nodes, tonsils, and appendix
dense clusters in the ileum, the distal portion of the small intestine. (big lymph nodes)
Primary lymphatic organs
- site where T and B cells become immunocompetent: able to recognize and respond to antigens
Secondary lymphatic organs
- immunocompetent cells populate these tissues
Thymus
member of the endocrine, lymphatic and immune systems. (very active when young)
-Houses developing T cells,
-secretes hormones regulating their activity
-degeneration or involution with age.
(immune response less responsive)
_________ cells seal off cortex from medulla forming _______ barrier
produce?
reticular epithelial cells
blood-thymus barrier
-signaling molecules thymosin, thymopoietin, thymulin, interleukins, interferon. 2%
Lymph nodes
functions:
most numerous lymphatic organs.
-about 450 in young adult
cleanse lymph
act as site of T and B cell activation
(mostly around mucous membranes and orifaces)
Cervical lymph nodes
monitor lymph coming from head and neck
Axillary lymph nodes
receive lymph from upper limb and female breast
Thoracic lymph nodes
receive lymph from mediastinum, lungs, and airway.