Lymphatic System Flashcards
What are the functions of lymphatic system
• return excess fluid/plasma proteins to blood
• remove foreign material from lymph
• immune cells monitor blood/lymph
• carry fat from intestines to blood
What is lymph made up of
• water, dissolved solutes, protein
• sometimes cell debris, pathogens, or cancer cells
What does the right lymphatic duct drain
• right side of head and right arm
What area does the thoracic duct drain
• rest of the body
T-cells
• manage immune response
• cell to cell attack
B-cells
• plasma cells
- produce antibodies
NK cells
• body patrol cells
Macrophages and dendritic cells
• phagocytes
• activate T-cells
Reticular cells
• produce stroma
Reticular tissue
• house lymph cells
Lymphoid follicles
• dense
• germinal centers
- rapid production of plasma cells
Primary lymph organs
• bone marrow
• thymus
Secondary lymph organs
• lymph nodes
• spleen
• mucosa-associated lymph tissue
What do lymph nodes do
• cleanse lymph
What are the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues
• MALT
• tonsils
• Peyers patches
Where is the thymus located?
Lower neck, upper thorax, overlaps some of heart
When is the thymus most active?
From birth until puberty
What happens to the thymus after puberty?
Replaced with fibrous and fatty tissue
What is the primary function of the thymus?
Maturation of T cells
Does the thymus fight pathogens directly?
No, unlike other lymphatic organs
Where are lymph nodes located?
All along lymph vessels
What are the three main concentrations of lymph nodes?
- Axillary
- Cervical
- Inguinal
What vein does the right lymphatic duct enter?
Internal jugular vein
Which duct enters the vein at the thorax?
Thoracic duct