Lymphatic System

Composition
Lymph Lymphocytes Lymph vessels Lymph nodes Tonsils Spleen Thymus gland
Function
1) Maintains fluid balance - 30 liters of plasma pass out of capillaries each da
y - 27 liters get resorbed at capillary - 3 liter left in tissue spaces get reso
rbed into lymph vessels 2) Fat absorption from gastrointestinal tract - lacteals
in small intestine - lymph + fat = chyle (a milky white fluid) 3) Body defense
system - lymph nodes filter lymph contains lymphocytes - spleen filters blood
Lymph Vessels
Carry lymph away from tissues begins at lymph capillaries (simple squamous epith
elium) lymph capillaries join together to form vein-like lymph vessels lymph ves
sel contain valves to prevent retrograde flow o contraction of skeletal muscle o
smooth muscle in lymph vessel wall o pressure changes in thorax during breathin
g
1) Right Lymphatic Duct (RLD) drains lymph from - right upper limb - vessels fro
m right halve of head, neck, & chest form the RLD which empties into the right s
ubclavian vein. 2) Thoracic Duct The rest of the body drains into the Thoracic D
uct which empties into the left subclavian vein.
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Lymph Organs
- Contain lymphatic tissue composed of lymphocytes, macrophages, & other cells.
- Lymphocytes originate from red bone marrow, and are carried by the blood to ly
mph organs. - Microorganisms stimulate lymphocyte cell division in germinal cent
ers of lymph nodes. This is called Immune System Activation 1) Tonsils Protects
body against pathogens entering at the nose and mouth. a. palatine â posterior oral
cavity b. pharyngeal â nasal cavity, adenoids c. lingual â posterior tongue 2) Lymph No
es - Small, round structures along lymph vessels. - Lymph passes through at leas
t one node before emptying into vein. - Superficial aggregation Inguinal in groi
n Axillary Cervical The function of a node is to filter lymph and produce lympho
cytes. 1) activation of the immune system (lymphocyte cell division) 2) phagocyt
osis of pathogens by macrophages
3) Spleen Located in the left upper abdominal cavity Function: Filters blood of
pathogens and old RBCs Activation of immune system Blood reservoir Easily trauma
tized 4) Thymus Located in the superior mediastinum Function: Maturation of lymp
hcytes
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Defense or Resistance
Ability to resist damage from foreign substances.
Two kinds of defense.
1) Nonspecific Resistance
constant response time
versus
2) Specific Resistance
faster & faster response time
1) Nonspecific Resistance: Identical response time for repeat infections. Exampl
e; each time a bacterium enters the body, it is phagocytized with the same speed
& efficiency. 2) Specific Resistance: The response for repeat infections is fas
ter and more efficient due to the ability to recognize (specificity) and remembe
r a particular antigen. Specific resistance also imparts long lasting immunity f
rom a pathogen, so it is also called Specific Immunity.
1) Nonspecific Resistance
A. Mechanical Mechanisms for preventing entry
- skin & mucous membranes - tears, saliva, urine wash out microorganisms - cilia
ted mucous membranes in lungs - coughing and sneezing remove from respiratory tr
act
B. Chemical Mediators (4), bring about or focus immune system response
1. Lysozyme in tears and saliva 2. Histamine promotes inflammatory response by v
asodilating and increasing capillary permeability (producing edema & swelling) 3
. Compliment Eleven proteins in plasma are inactive, but are activated by bacter
ia or antibodies. Active compliment promotes - Inflammation - Phagcytosis - Attr
acts WBCs - Lysis of bacterial cells
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Nonspecific Resistance Chemical Mediators (cont.)
4. Interferons are proteins from infected cells that protect uninfected cells fr
om viral infection.
Virus Infected Cell
Interferons
Uninfected Cell
More viruses
Cell death
Antiviral Proteins
C. Cells, all WBCs except lymphocytes
White blood cells are the most important cellular component of the immune system
. Histamine and compliment attract WBCs.
- neutrophils (phagocytes) first to arrive - macrophages are monocytes that have
left blood vessels (5x bigger) - basophils release histamine - mast cell (not a
WBC) in connective tissue release inflammatory chemicals - eosinophils release
chemicals that break down inflammatory chemicals
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2) Specific Resistance (a.k.a Immunity)
Due to an antibody/antigen reaction.
Specific resistance is the ability to recognize, respond, and remember a particu
lar antigen. Molecules which stimulate specific resistance are called antigens.
1) Foreign Antigens - parasites - bacteria - viruses - toxins (chemicals) 2) Sel
f Antigens - tumors - autoimmune disease
multiple sclerosis rheumatoid arthritis
**Specific resistance results from lymphocyte activity!!**
Two types of Lymphocytes 1. B cells produce proteins called antibodies. Thus, an
tibody mediated immunity is the result of B cells or B lymphocytes activity. 2.
T cells are contact killers. They lyse invading cells on contact. Thus, cell med
iated immunity is the result of T cells or T lymphocytes.
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I. Antibody Mediated Immunity (B-cell)
Works well for extracellular antigens.
A. Primary Response
Antigen binds to receptor on B lymphocyte.
B lymphocyte + Antigen
Plasma Cells
+
Memory B Cells (Provides long lasting immunity)
Antibodies
Primary response takes 3-14 days.
B. Secondary Response
Memory B cells are responsible for the secondary response for a repeat infection
. 1. faster response time, will produce antibodies within a few hours 2. more ef
fective response, many more antibodies are produced
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II. Cell Mediated Immunity (T-cell)
Can work for intracellular antigens.
A. Primary Response
Antigen binds to receptor on T lymphocyte.
Cytotoxic T Cells
1) promotes inflammation 2) promotes phagocytosis 3) contact killing
Memory T Cells
(long lasting immunity)
Primary response takes 3-14 days.
B. Secondary Response
Memory T cells are responsible for the secondary response for a repeat infection
. 1. faster response time, will produce cytotoxic T cells within quickly 2. more
effective response, many more cytotoxic T cells are produced
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