Chapter 21 notes – Lymphatic System (textbook)

Lymph vessels begin with microscopic lymphatic capillaries (terminal lymphatics). Unlike blood
capillaries, they are closed at one end.
Lymph vessels contain tunica interna/media/externa.
Pathway of lymph:
Lymphatic capillaries -> collecting vessels -> 6 lymphatic trunks -> 2 collecting ducts -> subclavian veins
Collecting vessels – share a connective tissue sheath with veins/arteries, then empty into lymph nodes
Lymphatic trunks – jugular, subclavian, bronchomediastinal, intercostal, intestinal, lumbar
Collecting ducts – right lymphatic duct, thoracic duct (larger and longer)
1st line of defense – epithelial barriers, skin and mucous membranes
2nd line of defense – leukocytes, macrophages, fever, antimicrobial proteins, inflammation
3rd line of defense – adaptive immunity, memory of environmental pathogens reduces vulnerability
Innate immunity – defenses that the body is born with, includes both the 1 st and 2nd line of defense;
local, nonspecific, lacks memory
Skin has an acid mantle, sweat contains antibacterial peptide dermicidin.
Other peptides from leukocytes and other cells – defensins, cathelicidins
Mucus, tears, and saliva contain lysozyme (enzyme that dissolves cell walls)
Areolar tissue contains viscous hyaluronic acid.
Antimicrobial proteins – interferons
Complement system – 30 or more globulins, mostly from the liver, activate in the blood in the presence
of pathogens, both innate and adaptive immunity; classical pathway describes adaptive immunity
activation, alternative pathway and lectin pathway bind to cells, viruses, etc and are innate immunity
End steps of complement system: inflammation -> immune clearance -> phagocytosis -> cytolysis
Adaptive immunity – 3rd line of defense; systemic effect, specificity, has a memory
 Cell-mediated immunity (lymphocytes directly attack and destroy)
 Antibody-mediated immunity (humoral)
 Natural passive immunity – receiving antibodies from another person, only via placenta/breast
 Natural active immunity – producing body’s own antibodies due to antigen exposure
 Artificial passive immunity – receiving injection of antibodies from another person/animal
 Artificial active immunity – producing antibodies in response to vaccination
Antibody mechanisms for disabling antigens:
1. Neutralization – masking active regions of antigen molecule
2. Complement fixation – binding complement proteins to enemy cell, changes their shape
3. Agglutination – clumping enemy cells together, prevents spreading through tissues
4. Precipitation – clumping antigen molecules (not whole cells)
Slides (D2L)
1. Drains excess fluid from tissues to blood.
2. Transports lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins from GI tract to bloodstream.
3. Facilitates immune response.
Most interstitial fluid reabsorbed into capillaries.
Lymphatic ducts – pick up remaining interstitial fluid
Lymph nodes – filter out pathogens, filters lymph fluid, about 600 total
 Most prolific and important organ in lymphatic system
 Contain lymphocytes and macrophages responding to pathogens
 Most concentrated in neck, armpit, thoracic, abdominal, and groin regions
Lymph – clear fluid in lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic nodules – mass of lymphatic tissue that lack the capsule of lymph nodes, found in GI mucous
membranes (gut-associated lymphoid tissue, GALT), urinary and reproductive tracts, respiratory airways
Subclavian veins – return lymph to the heart
Lymphatic vessels – compensate for low pressure through valves, muscular compression, and
respiratory pumps

Tonsils – lymphatic nodules at entrance to pharynx that deal with ingested and inhaled pathogens
 Palatine, lingual, and pharyngeal tonsils
Thymus – lymphatic and endocrine function, secretes hormones with role in developing T-cells
Spleen – “graveyard of RBC,” place old RBC are destroyed, reservoir for blood, filters blood, it is the
largest mass of lymphatic tissue in the body