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Figure 11.4 highlights the different regions of the body that is drained
by the right lymphatic and thoracic duct.
LYMPHATIC VESSELS (continuation)
• Lymphatic vessels are similar to veins of the
cardiovascular system Figure 11.5 shows the parts of the lymphatic nodes. Highlighted are the
§ Thin-walled cortex and the follicle cells and germinal center in it and the medulla.
§ Larger vessels have valves
§ Low-pressure, pumpless system • Flow of lymph through nodes
• Lymph transport is aided by: 1. Lymph enters the convex side through afferent
§ Milking action of skeletal muscles (similar to lymphatic vessels.
how skeletal muscles can open valves of veins 2. Lymph flows through a number of sinuses inside
when it is “squeezed” by the muscles) the node
§ Pressure changes in thorax during breathing 3. Lymph exits through efferent lymphatic vessels.
§ Smooth muscle in walls of lymphatics Because there are fewer efferent than afferent
vessels, flow is slowed.
Figure 11.5 shows the flow of lymph from the afferent lymphatic vessels
to the efferent lymphatic vessels.
A.G. RODRIGUEZ & D. TAN PAGE 2 OF 10
OTHER LYMPHOID ORGANS BODY DEFENSES
• Several other lymphoid organs contribute to Innate (nonspecific) defense system
lymphatic function (in addition to the lymph nodes) • Mechanisms protect against a variety of invaders
§ Spleen • Responds immediately to protect body from foreign
§ Thymus materials
§ Tonsils Adaptive (specific) defense system
§ Peyer’s patches • Fights invaders that get past the innate system
§ Appendix • Specific defense is required for each type of
invader
• The highly specific resistance to disease is
immunity
INNATE (NONSPECIFIC) BODY DEFENSES
• Innate body defenses are mechanical barriers to
pathogens (harmful or disease-causing
microorganisms) and include:
§ Body surface coverings
o Intact skin
o Mucous membranes
§ Specialized human cells
§ Chemicals produced by the body
Figure 11.6 shows the location of other lymphoid organs in the body. • Table 12.1 provides a more detailed summary
Spleen
• Located on the left side of the abdomen
• Filters and cleans blood of bacteria, viruses, debris
• Provides a site for lymphocyte proliferation and
immune surveillance
• Destroys worn-out blood cells
• Forms blood cells in the fetus (this function will later
on be passed to the bone marrow)
• Acts as a blood reservoir.
Thymus
• Found overlying the heart
• Functions at peak levels only during youth
• Produces T-lymphocytes
Tonsils
• Small masses of lymphoid tissue deep to the
mucosa surrounding the pharynx (throat)
• Trap and remove bacteria and other foreign
pathogens
• Tonsillitis results when the tonsils become
congested with bacteria
Peyer’s Patches
• Found in the wall of the small intestine
• Similar lymphoid follicles are found in the appendix
• Macrophages capture and destroy bacteria in the
intestine
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
• Includes:
§ Peyer’s patches
§ Tonsils
§ Appendix
• Acts as a sentinel (indicator of the presence of a
disease) to protect respiratory and digestive tracts
o Antibody Classes
§ Antibodies of each class have slightly different
roles and differ structurally and functionally 4. Cellular (cell-mediated) Immune Response
§ Five major immunoglobulin classes
o Main difference between 2 arms of the adaptive
(MADGE)
1. IgM—can fix complement (refers to a grp response
of at least 20 plasma proteins that circulate § B cells secrete antibodies
in the plasma) § T cells fight antigens directly
o T cells must recognize nonself and self through the FUNCTION OF CELLS INVOLVED IN IMMUNITY
process of antigen presentation FUNCTION IN THE IMMUNE
ELEMENT
§ Nonself—the antigen fragment presented by RESPONSE
APC Protein produced by a B cell or its
Antibody
§ Self—coupling with a specific glycoprotein on plasma-cell offspring and
(immunoglobulin)
the APC’s surface at the same time released into body fluids (blood,