Lymphatics & Immunity Flashcards
(138 cards)
What does the lymphatic system consist of?
Lymph
Lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic tissue
Lymph
A liquid type of connective tissue that is clear and colourless.
Found in lymphatic vessels and tissues
In between cells = interstitial fluid
In blood = plasma
Lymphatic tissues
Lymph organs, RBM.
Specialized forms of reticular connective tissue that contain a large number of lymphocytes
Lymphocytes
Agranular white blood cells that participate in adaptive immune response (B and T cells)
(Plus granular nonspecific NK cells)
3 Major functions of the lymphatic system
- Drains excess interstitial fluid
- - returns it to the blood via subclavian veins
- - approximately 3 litres/day
- - also returns lost plasma protein to blood stream - Transports dietary lipids
- - plus lipid soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) - Carries out immune responses
Lymphatic vessel pathway
Blood capillaries –> interstitial space –> lymphatic capillaries –> lymph vessels –> lymph trunks –> lymph ducts –> veins
Lymphatic capillaries
- Located in the spaces between cells
- Have terminal (closed) ends on one end
- Cells overlap so interstitial fluid flows in by not out
- when pressure greater in interstitial fluid, cells separate; when greater in lymph, cells adhere - Unite to form lymphatic vessels
- HIghly permeable
Anchoring filaments
Contain elastic fibres; attach lymphatic endothelial cells to surrounding tissues.
Also when excess interstitial fluid accumulates and tissues swell, filaments are pulled and openings between cells increase.
Lacteals
Specialized lymphatic capillaries in small intestines that carry dietary lipids into lymphatic vessels
Chyle
Lymph containing dietary lipids drained from small intestine, carried in lacteals. Appear creamy white.
Principle Lymph Trunks
- Lumbar (lower limbs, wall and viscera of pelvis, kidneys, adrenals, abdominal walls)
- Intestinal (stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen, part of liver)
- Bronchomediastinal (thoracic wall, lung, heart)
- Subclavian (upper limbs)
- Jugular (head and neck)
Lymph Ducts
- Thoracic (Left Lymphatic) Duct
- - begins ate Cisterna Chyli
- - located anterior to L2
- - main duct for return of lymph to blood
- - receives from: R&L lumbar trunks; R&L intestinal trunks; Left jugular trunk; left subclavian trunk; left bronchomediastinal trunk - Right Lymphatic Duct
- - Receives lymph from the: Right jugular, Right subclavian, and Right bronchiomediastinal trunk
Where do the lymph ducts drain?
Thoracic (Left Lymphatic) duct drain into venous blood at the junction of the left internal jugular and left subclavian veins
Right Lymphatic duct drains into venous blood at the junction of the right internal jugular and right subclavian veins
Like veins, lymph flow is affected by
Valves
Skeletal muscle pump
Respiratory pump
Primary lymphatic organs
Where stem cells divide and become immunocompetent
Red bone marrow and thymus
Secondary lymphatic organs
Sites where most immune responses occur
Lymph nodES, spleen, lymph nodULES
Pluripotent cells in the RBM give rise to:
- Mature immunocompetent B Cells
2. Pre-T cells
Thymus
Bilobed
In mediastinum, between sternum and aorta
Two lobes divided by CT capsule
Each lobule contains outer cortex and inner medulla
Mature T cells leave thymus via blood and travel to lymph nodes, spleen, and other lymphatic tissue.
Large in infants; after puberty not so much. Gets replaced by adipose and areolar CT
Trabeculae (thymus)
Extension of the CT capsule which penetrate inward and divide each lobe into lobules
Outer cortex (thymus)
Receive pre-T cells from RBM
Dendritic cells (derived from monocytes) assist T cell maturation
Epithelial cells: produce thymic hormones; educate pre-T cells through Positive Selection
Macrophages: clear out debris
Only 2% of developing T cells survive
Inner medulla (thymus)
Mature T cells
Epithelial cells: created clusters called thyme (Hassall’s) corpuscles. (function unknown)
Dendritic cells
Macrophages.
Lymph nodes
Secondary lymphatic organs
Usually occur in groups
Encapsulated
Important Lymph Nodes
Neck 1. supraclavicular Arms 2. axillary 3. cubital Legs 4. inguinal 5. popliteal Thorax 6. paraspinal 7. parasternal
Trabeculae (lymph)
Capsular extension which:
- divide lymph node into compartments
- provide support
- provide a route for blood vessels