Lymphatic System Flashcards
(142 cards)
What are pathogens?
disease-causing organisms, like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites
What is immunity?
The ability to defend against infection and resist disease
What is the immune system?
All the cells and tissues involved in producing immunity
What does the lymphatic system include?
The lymphatic system (AKA lymphoid system) includes the cells, tissues, and organs responsible for defending the body.
What does the lymphatic system consist of? (4x)
(1) an array of lymphatic tissues and organs scattered throughout the body;
(2) a network of lymphatic vessels, which begin in peripheral tissues and connect to veins;
(3) lymph, a fluid that resembles plasma but contains a much lower concentration of dissolved proteins, flowing in the lymphatic vessels; and
(4) lymphoid cells, including lymphocytes and smaller numbers of phagocytes and other cells.
What are the primary lymphatic tissue/organs?
Primary lymphatic tissues and organs are sites where lymphocytes are formed: red bone marrow and the thymus.
What are the secondary lymphatic tissue/organs?
Secondary lymphatic tissues and organs are where lymphocytes are matured/activated: the tonsils, MALT (mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue), lymph nodes, and spleen.
What is MALT
MALT (mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue),
What are lymphoid tissues?
connective tissues dominated by lymphocytes.
In a lymphoid (or lymphatic) nodule, the lymphocytes are ___________ in an area of ____________ next to the ____________
densely packed; areolar tissue (loose connective tissue); epithelial lining.
What are Peyer’s patches?
clusters of lymphoid nodules along the intestine
Where are large lymphoid nodules located?
tonsils; Peyer’s patches, on the wall of the appendix.
Where are lymphoid nodules located?
within lymphoid organs, i.e., lymph
nodes and the spleen.
What are Lymph nodes?
small lymphoid organs
Where are lymph nodes located? And what do they do?
The greatest number of lymph nodes is located in the neck, axillae, and groin, where they defend us against bacteria and other invaders.
_____ flows through lymph nodes before it reaches the _____
Lymph flows through lymph nodes before it reaches the veins.
What are the functions of lymph nodes? (2x)
1) functions like a kitchen water filter: It purifies lymph before it returns to the veins.
2) an early-warning defense system
How does lymph nodes function as a filter/purifier?
As lymph flows through a lymph node, at least 99% of antigens (i.e., foreign substances) in the lymph are removed by macrophages within the lymph nodes that engulf debris or pathogens in lymph as it flows through.
How does lymph nodes function as an early warning defense system?
Any infection or other abnormality in a peripheral tissue puts antigens into the interstitial fluid, and thus into the lymph. Lymph then carries these antigens to nearby lymph nodes, where macrophages and lymphocytes are activated.
How do lymph nodes function as an early warning defense system?
Any infection or other abnormality in a peripheral tissue puts antigens into the interstitial fluid, and thus into the lymph. Lymph then carries these antigens to nearby lymph nodes, where macrophages and lymphocytes are activated.
What is the function of the Thymus?
primary lymphoid organ. It is necessary in early life for immunity,
Is the Thymus necessary later in life?
later in life atrophies and becomes inactive
Where is the thymus located?
located in the mediastinum, just posterior to the sternum
What is the function of the Spleen in the lymphatic system? (3x)
(1) removing abnormal blood cells and other blood components by phagocytosis, (2) storing iron recycled from old red blood cells, and (3) initiating immune responses by B cells
and T cells in response to antigens in circulating blood