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. Lymphatic Lecture Page 1

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 posterior oral cavity b. pharyngeal nasal cavity, adenoids c. lingual posterior tongue 2) Lymph Nod 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 Lymphatic Lecture Page 2

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 Lymphatic Lecture Page 3

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 Lymphatic Lecture Page 4

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. Lymphatic Lecture Page 5

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 Lymphatic Lecture Page 6

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 Lymphatic Lecture Page 7