Structure of Lymphatic System

Lymphatic system actually consist of twi semi-independent parts:

1. Lymphatic vessels

2. Lymphoid tissues and organs

Lynphatic vessels

- is also called lymphatics, form a one-way system, and lymph flows only toward the heart.

- are thin-walled vessels structured like blood vessels.

- it transport lymph—— a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.

- it occur throughout the body alongside arteries and veins, absent from CNS, bone marrow, teeth, and
avascular system.

Lymphatic capillaries

- are the smallest blood vessels which begin in the tissue spaces as blind-ended sacs.

- it capture fluid leaking into your tissues from your circulatory system and transport it to progressively
larger lymph.

Difference of Lymphatic vessels and Blood vessels

* Blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to virtually all cells in developing mammalian embryos and
adults.

* Lymphatic vessels drain the interstitial fluid that collects in tissues and serve as a conduct for immune
cell trafficking and fat absorption.

Lymphatic Collecting Vessels

These are just like blood vessels and made up of the same things but much thinner.
2 large ducts in the Thoracic Region

1. The right lymphatic duct

2. Thoracic duct or the left lymphatic duct

The right lymphatic duct

- drains lymph from the right arm and tge right side of the head and thorax.

Thoracic duct

- is the largest lymphatic vessel.

- it receives lymph from fhe rest of the body.

- around 70% of lymph passes through thoracic duct.

- it transports atleast 4 liters of lymphatic fluid each day.

In the lymphatic system a lymph node is a secondary lymphoid organ. A lymph node is enclosed in a
fibrous capsule and is made up of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. Lymph nodes are widely present
throughout the body and are linked by the lymphatic vessels,There are about 450 lymph nodes in the
adult.[1] Some lymph nodes can be felt when enlarged (and occasionally when not), such as the axillary
lymph nodes under the arm, the cervical lymph nodes of the head and neck and the inguinal lymph
nodes near the groin crease. Most lymph nodes lie within the trunk adjacent to other major structures in
the body - such as the paraaortic lymph nodesand the tracheobronchial lymph nodes. They are major
sites of B and T cells and other white blood cells. Lymph nodes are important for the proper functioning
of the immune system, acting as filters for foreign particles and cancer cells, but they do not have a
detoxification function.

In the lymphatic system a lymph node is a secondary lymphoid organ. A lymph node is divided into
compartments called nodules (or lobules), each consisting of a region of cortex with combined follicle B
cells, a paracortex of T cells, and a part of the nodule in the medulla.[4] The substance of a lymph node is
divided into the outer cortexand the inner medulla.[2] The cortex of a lymph node is the outer portion of
the node, underneath the capsule and the subcapsular sinus.[4] It has an outer part and a deeper part
known as the paracortex.[4] The outer cortex consists of groups of mainly inactivated B cells called
follicles.[1] When activated, these may develop into what is called a germinal centre.[1] The deeper
paracortex mainly consists of the T cells.[1] Here the T-cells mainly interact with dendritic cells, and the
reticular network is dense.[5]
The medulla contains large blood vessels, sinuses and medullary cords that contain antibody-secreting
plasma cells. There are less cells in the medulla.[1]

The medullary cords are cords of lymphatic tissue, and include plasma cells, macrophages, and B cells.

Other Lymphoid Organs

Lymph nodes are just one example of the many types of lymphoid organs in the body. Others are the
spleen, thymus, gland, tonsils and peyer's patches of the intestine, as well as bits of lymphatic tissue
scattered in the epithelial and connective tissues.

SPLEEN

-Is a blood-rich organ that filters blood. It is located in the left side of the abdominal cavity and extends
to curl around thr anterior aspect of the stomach. Instead of filtering lymph, the spleen filters and
cleanses the bacteria, viruses, and other debris. Its most important function is to destroy worn-out red
blood cells and return some their breakdown products to the liver.

THYMUS GLAND

-Which functions at peak levels only during youth, is a lymphatic mass found low in the throat overlying
the heart. The thymus produces hormones, thymosin amd others, that function in the programming of
certain lymphocytes so they can carry out their protective roles in the body.

TONSILS

-Are small masses of lymphatic tissue that ring the pharynx (the throat), where they are found in the
mucosa. Their job is to trap and remove bacteria or other foreign pathogens entering the throat. They
carry out this function so efficiently that sometimes they become congested with bacteria and become
red,swollen, and sore, a condition called tonsilitis.

PEYER'S PATCHES

-Which resembles tonsils, are found in the wall of the small intestine. The macrophages of peyer's
patches are in an ideal position to capture and destroy bacteria (always present in tremendous numbers
in the intestine), thereby preventing them from penetrating the intestinal wall. Peyer's patches and the
tonsils are part of the collection of small lymphoid tissues refered to as mucosa-associated lymphatic
tissue (MALT). Collectively, act as a sentinel to protect the upper respiratory and digestive tracts from the
never-ending attacks of foreign matter entering those cavities.

Cells of the Immune System

There are many different cell types and sub-types involved in the immune system. Some of the main
types include:

Lymphocytes: are white cells which circulate between blood and lymph. They play an important role in
fighting infection. There are many kinds of lymphocytes

the main types are T cells, B cells and natural killer cells. Lymphocytes initially develop in the bone
marrow. Some migrate to the thymus, where they mature into T cells ; others mature in the bone
marrow as B cells.Neutrophils: are the most abundant type of white blood cells and are an important
part of the innate immune system. Neutrophils are a type of phagocyte (cells which engulf and then
digest, cellular debris and pathogens). They are normally found in the blood stream, but are quickly
recruited to the site of injury or infection following chemical signals such as Interleukin-8.Macrophages:
are another type of phagocyte and have a role in both the innate and adaptive immune systems. They
attack foreign substances, infectious microbes and cancer cells. Macrophages also stimulate lymphocytes
and other immune cells to respond to pathogens.Dendritic cells: are antigen-presenting cells which act
as messengers between the innate and adaptive immune systems. They are usually located in tissues in
contact with the external environment such as the skin, linings of the nose, lungs, stomach and
intestines. In response to pathogens they migrate to the lymph nodes where they interact with T cells
and B cells to initiate the adaptive immune response.Antigens and AntibodiesAntibodies (also known as
an immunoglobulins) are Y-shaped proteins produced by B-cells,that bind to specific antigens on the
surface of foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. This identifies and 'tags' the foreign object as
'non-self', signalling other immune cells to attack them.Hormones and the Immune SystemThere are
several hormones generated by the immune system. These hormones are generally known
as lymphokines. Steroids and corticosteroids (components of adrenaline) suppress the immune system.