LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

FUNCTIONS OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM - Tethered to surrounding tissue by protein

filaments
- Promotes maturation of the T and B cells - Endothelial cells loosely overlapped; tightly
- Concentrates antigens all throughout the junctions, base membrane
body into few lymphoid organs - Valve like flaps at the edges of endothelial
- Stimulates circulation of lymphocytes cells
throughout the target organs, exposing the
antigens to antigen-specific lymphocytes Uptake of tissue fluid by Lymphatic Capillary
- Carries antigen-specific lymphocytes to the
blood and tissues
1. Fluid Recovery:
- Absorbs ECF proteins and fluid (2-4 L/day)
from tissues and returns it to the
bloodstream
o Interference with lymphatic
drainage leads to severe edema
- Elephantiasis
- Cause: mosquito-borne roundworms infect
the lymph node and block the flow of lymph
- Symptoms: chronic edema, especially
extremities; thickening of the skin
2. Immunity
- Fluids from all capillary beds are filtered
- Immune cells stand ready to respond to
foreign cells or chemical encountered
3. Lipid absorption Larger Lymphatic Vessels composed of 3 Layers:
- Lacteals in small intestine absorb dietary
- Tunica Interna: endothelium and valves
lipids
- Tunica Media: elastic fibers, smooth
COMPONENTS OF LYMPHATIC SYSTEM muscle
- Tunica Externa: thin outer layer
a. Lymph
b. Lymphatic Capillaries Compared to Veins, Lymphatic Vessels:
c. Lymphatic Vessels
- Their Walls: thinner
d. Lymphatic Tissues
- Their Valves: (intervals) closer together/;
1. Primary Lymphoid Organs – BM and
therefore; there are more valves in
thymus
lymphatics compared to veins
2. Secondary Lymphoid Organs – lymph
nodes, tonsils, spleen, Peyer’s patches Fluid Exchange between the Circulatory and
and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue Lymphatic Systems
LYMPH AND LYMPHATIC VESSELS - Principle: the lymphatic systems picks up
excess tissue fluid and returns it to the
1. Lymph
bloodstream
- Clear, colorless fluid, similar to plasma but
- Routes: Continual recycling of fluid from
much higher protein
blood (blood capillaries) to the tissue, to the
2. Lymphatic Capillaries (structures)
lymph, and back to the blood stream
- Closed at one end

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- Through what specific veins does the lymph ROUTE OF LYMPH FLOW-B
draining bac to the bloodstream
5. (Two) collection ducts (continued):

b. Thoracic duct – larger and longer; begins

as a prominent sac in abdomen called the
cisterna chyli; receives lymph of below
diaphragm, L arm, L side of head, neck, and
thorax; empties into L subclavian vein

ROUTES OF LYMPH FLOW-A

1. Lymphatic Capillaries ->

2. Collecting Vessels: course through many
lymph nodes: ->
3. (Six) larger lymphatic trunks: drain major
portions of body: ->
4. (Two) collection ducts:
a. Right lymphatic duct – receives
lymph from R arm, R side of head
and thorax; empties into R
subclavian vein

IMMUNE RESPONSES – SPECIFIC IMMUNITY

TYPES OF IMMUNE RESPONSES

a. Humoral (Antibody-Mediated) Immune

Response
- Activation of B cells and production of
antibodies
- Effective against extracellular antigens
- Immunoglobulins
b. Cell – Mediated Immune Response
- Effective against intracellular antigens,
cancer cells and tissue transplants
- Cytotoxic T cells

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NON-SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSES LYMPHATIC CELLS/ LYMPHOCYTES

a. Mechanical Protection 1. Natural Killer (NK) Cells – large

- Form barriers preventing entry of lymphocytes; destroy bacteria and certain
pathogens host cells
- Skin, mucous membrane, saliva, sweat, 2. T Lymphocytes (T Cells) – lymphocytes
urine, etc. mature in thymus
b. Chemicals 3. B Lymphocytes (B Cells) – lymphocytes
- Interferons and complement system mature in bone marrow; they differentiate
c. Natural Killer Cells into plasma cells that produce antibodies
- Stimulated ice Fb penetrate the protective 4. Antigen Presenting Cells: present to T
barriers of the body cells
d. Phagocytes a. Macrophages (from monocytes);
- Neutrophils, macrophages and monocytes very large; phagocytosis
b. Dendrite Cells (in epidermis,
TYPES OF IMMUNITY mucous membranes and lymphatic
Active organs); perform endocytosis
(similar to phagocytosis)
Means of Acquisition c. Reticular Cells stationary, in the
thymus
a. Natural
- antigen recognition by B and T cells
- Stimulated of the antibody-secreting plasma
cells, cytotoxic T cells etc.
- Exposure to infection
b. Artificial
- Antigens or attenuated pathogens are
artificially introduced to stimulate immune
responses
- Antigens introduced trigger an immune
response but will not cause illness
- Example: Hep V vaccine

Passive

Means of Acquisition

c. Natural
- Transfer of pre-formed lgG antibodies from
mother to fetus
- IgA antibodies from mother to baby during
breastfeeding
d. Artificial
- Parenteral injection of immunoglobulins
- Example: Anti-rabies vaccine

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THE ACTIONS OF A NATURAL KILLER CELL LYMPHATIC TISSUE – Aggregation of

Lymphocytes

TWO FORMS:

1. Diffuse Lymphatic Tissue

- Lymphocytes in mucous membrane and CT
of many organs
- Prevalent in 4 body system open to exterior
– Respiratory, digestive, etc. system
o It is called Mucosa-Associated
Lymphatic Tissue (MALT)
2. Lymphatic Nodules
a. Come and go – dense masses of
lymphocytes and macrophages,
congregate in response to
pathogens
b. Permanent features
▪ In some organs – lymph
nodes, tonsils, and appendix
▪ In the ileum – called Peyer
patches; clusters found at
junction of small to large
intestines
THE LIFE HISTORY AND MIGRATION OF B AND T
CELLS

LYMPHATIC ORGANS

- In contrast to the lymphatic tissue, these

organs have: well defined anatomical sites:
have CT capsules
1. Primary Lymphatic Organs
- Site where B and T cells become
immunocompetent
2. Secondary Lymphatic Organs
- Immunocompetent cells populate these
tissues
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RED BONE MARROW

- Function: hemopoiesis and immunity

(supply of lymphocytes)
- Highly vascularized, numerous arteries
enter the bone surface, and empty into large
sinusoids capillaries
- The sinusoids drain into a central
longitudinal vein that exit the bone
- Reticular Cells: (1) induce formation of
WBCs; (2) aging reticular cells become
adipose cells

THYMUS

- Large in fetus; after age 14 begins

involution
- Capsule gives off trabecular, divides thymus
into lobules
- Reticular epithelial cells
o Secretes hormones (thymopoietin,
thymulin and thymosins, etc.) TONSILS
- T Cells – develop in the cortex, migrate to
the medulla, and enter blood or lymphatic - Def. patches of lymphatic tissue located at
vessels the entrance to the pharynx and vicinity
- Each tonsil:
LYMPH NODES o Covered by epithelium
o Having deep pits called tonsillar
- Only organs that filter lymph: only organs
crypts
have afferent lymphatic vessels
o Tonsillar crypts lined by lymphatic
- Bean-shaped, less than 3cm long, hilum
nodules
present; most numerous lymphatic organs
1. Two Main Function THREE LOCATIONS OF TONSILS
- Cleanse the
- A site for T and B cell activation 1. Pharyngeal Tonsil (Adenoid)
2. 7 Major Locations - Single tonsil on wall of pharynx
- Cervical lymph nodes etc. 2. Palatine Tonsils
- A pair; at posterior margin of oral cavity

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- Largest and most often infected called

tonsillitis (treatments – tonsillectomy or
with antibiotics)
3. Lingual Tonsils (Many)
- At root of tongue

SPLEEN

- Largest lymphatic organ

- Location of the spleen:
o Protected by ribs 10-12
o Left hypochondriac region
o Dorsolateral to the stomach
o Fits between the diaphragm,
stomach and kidney;
o The spleen has gastric area, renal
area and colic area