THE IMMUNE

SYSTEM
WHAT IS IMMUNE
SYSTEM?

The immune system is the

body's defense against
infections. The immune
system attacks germs and
helps keep us healthy.
Without an immune system, our bodies would be
open to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and
more. It is our immune system that keeps us healthy
as we drift through a sea of pathogens.
The immune system is organized into several special
tissues which are collectively termed as lymphoid or
immune tissues.

Tissues that evolved to a high degree of specificity

of function is termed as lymphoid organs.
 THESE INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING:
LYMPHOID ORGANS

ORGANS OF PRIMARY (CENTRAL)

Thymus, Bone Marrow, Tonsils,
THE IMMUNE Spleen
SYSTEM SECONDARY (PERIPHERAL)
Lymph Nodes
 Thymus

CENTRAL Bone marrow

(PRIMARY)
LYMPHOID Tonsils
ORGANS
Spleen
PRIMARY FUNCTION
• The thymus gland exists to train our immune
system to fight against disease, infection, and
cancer.
• Critically important to the immune system which
serves as the body’s defense mechanism providing
surveillance and protection against diverse pathogens,
tumors, antigens and mediators of tissue damage. 
 ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
Hypoplasia/Aplasia of the Thymus
DiGeorge syndrome is a rare developmental disorder in children that affects
the thymus gland. A gene mutation causes it.
Children born with this condition have either an underdeveloped thymus or no
thymus at all. This causes them to have severe immune system problems and a
high risk of infections. They also have problems with their thyroids or
 hypoparathyroidism
Thymic Follicular Hyperplasia
With this condition, the thymus becomes swollen and inflamed. This can occur
in autoimmune disorders such as:
•Lupus: Where the immune system attacks the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells,
brain, heart, and lungs
•Erythematosus: Where the immune system attacks the connective tissue
•Myasthenia gravis (MG): Where the immune system attacks the
musculoskeletal system
Tumors of the Thymus Gland
Thymomas are tumors that occur within the thymus gland. They can be
harmless or cancerous. They can also occur in the neck, thyroid gland, or lungs
HOW TO TAKE CARE
Vitamin A supports the thymus and stimulates the immune
response. Daily supplementation with high dose vitamin C
maintains the size and weight of the thymus and increases
the number of T cells. You also need enough selenium for
immunity against viruses and cancer.
 BONE
MARROW
PRIMARY FUNCTION
•Red bone marrow is involved in hematopoiesis. This is another name
for blood cell production. Hematopoietic stem cells that are found in
red bone marrow can develop into a variety of different blood cells,
including:
•Red blood cells. These are the cells that work to carry oxygen-rich
blood to the cells of the body. Old red blood cells can also be broken
down in red bone marrow, but this task is mostly performed in the 
liver and spleen.
•Platelets. Platelets help your blood clot. This prevents uncontrolled
bleeding.
•White blood cells. There are several types of white blood cells. They
all work to help your body fight off infections.
ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that can affect both your bone marrow and lymphatic
system. It happens when blood cells get mutations in their DNA. This causes them to
grow and divide more rapidly than healthy blood cells. Over time, these cells start to
crowd out the healthy cells in your bone marrow.
Aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia occurs when bone marrow doesn’t produce enough new blood cells. It
occurs from damage to the stem cells of bone marrow. This makes it harder from them
to grow and develop into new blood cells.
ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
Myeloproliferative disorders
Myeloproliferative disorders happen when the stem cells in bone marrow grow
abnormally. This can lead to increased numbers of a specific type of blood cell.
There are several types of myeloproliferative disorders, including:
•Primary myelofibrosis. Red blood cells don’t develop normally and have an unusual shape. It
can also cause a decrease in red blood cell production.
•Polycythemia vera. Bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. These extra cells may
collect in the spleen, causing swelling and pain. Itching is also a common symptom, possibly
because of an abnormal histamine release.
•Essential thrombocythemia. Bone marrow produces too many platelets, making blood sticky or
thick. This slows down the flow of blood through the body.
HOW TO TAKE CARE
There are many foods that can help to boost your bone
marrow strength including foods rich in proteins, iron rich
foods, folic acid and vitamin B-6.
 TONSILS
•The tonsils (palatine tonsils) are a
pair of soft tissue masses located at
the rear of the throat (pharynx). Each
tonsil is composed of tissue similar
to lymph nodes, covered by pink
mucosa (like on the adjacent mouth
 lining). These tonsils are oval, pea-
sized clusters of lymph cells in the
pharynx at the opening of either side
of the throat. Though they may seem
large in children, the size of the
tonsils tends to get smaller when a
person becomes an adult.
PRIMARY FUNCTION
These bumps on the back of the throat are the "first line of defense as
part of the immune system”. Both your tonsils and adenoids help to trap
pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, that enter your mouth or nose.
They contain immune cells that produce antibodies that kill these
pathogens before they can spread to the rest of your body.
ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
•Acute tonsillitis: A bacteria or virus infects the tonsils, causing swelling
and a sore throat. The tonsil may develop a gray or white coating
(exudate).
•Chronic tonsillitis: Persistent infection of the tonsils, sometimes as a
result of repeated episodes of acute tonsillitis.
•Peritonsillar abscess: An infection creates a pocket of pus next to the
tonsil, pushing it toward the opposite side. Peritonsillar abscesses must be
drained urgently.
 ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
•Acute mononucleosis: Usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus,
“mono” causes severe swelling in the tonsils, fever, sore throat, rash,
and fatigue.
•Strep throat: Streptococcus, a bacterium, infects the tonsils and throat.
Fever and neck pain often accompany the sore throat.
 HOW TO TAKE CARE
1.Practice good oral hygiene, including cleaning the bacteria off the back of
your tongue when you brush your teeth.
2.Stop smoking.
3.Gargling with salt water.
4.Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
 SPLEEN
•The spleen is the largest organ in the 
lymphatic system. It is an important
organ for keeping bodily fluids balanced,
located under the ribcage and above the 
stomach in the left upper quadrant of the
abdomen. A spleen is soft and generally
looks reddish purple.
PRIMARY FUNCTION
• The spleen acts as a blood filter; it controls the amount of red blood cells and blood storage in the body,
and helps to fight infection.
• If the spleen detects potentially dangerous bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms in the blood, it —
along with the lymph nodes — creates white blood cells called lymphocytes, which act as defenders
against invaders, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• The lymphocytes produce antibodies to kill the foreign microorganisms and stop infections from
spreading.
• It stores various immune system cells. When needed, they move through the blood to other organs.
Scavenger cells (phagocytes) in the spleen act as a filter for germs that get into the bloodstream.
• It breaks down red blood cells (erythrocytes).
• It stores and breaks down platelets (thrombocytes), which are responsible for the clotting of blood, among
other things.
ASSOCIATED CONDITION
Enlarged spleen
An enlarged spleen, also called a splenomegaly, is a serious but typically
treatable condition. An enlarged spleen puts one at risk for rupture.

Spleen cancer
Cancers that originate in the spleen are relatively rare. When they do occur,
they are almost always lymphomas, blood cancers that occur in the
lymphatic system. Usually lymphomas start in other areas and invade the
spleen. According to the National Cancer Institute, adult non-Hodgkin
lymphoma can have a spleen stage. This type of spleen invasion can also
happen with leukemia, blood cancer that originates in bone marrow
ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
Lacerated spleen or ruptured spleen
Spleen lacerations or ruptures "usually occur from trauma (like a car
accident or contact sports)." These emergency situations cause a break
in the spleen's surface and can lead to "severe internal bleeding and
signs of shock (fast heart rate, dizziness, pale skin, fatigue).
HOW TO TAKE CARE
To keep your spleen healthy, you should drink plenty of water,
exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Eat a balanced diet
with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Foods that are too raw or too cold
— excessive quantities of raw vegetables or food straight from the
refrigerator — which snuff out “digestive fire” should be avoided.
Foods that tone up the spleen are: dates, grapes, pears, potatoes,
cucumber, carrots, melon, cereals, liquorice, honey, cinnamon and
aniseed.
PERIPHERAL
(SECONDARY) LYMPH NODES
LYMPHOID
ORGANS
 Lymph nodes are located
throughout the body, including the
LYMPH NODES neck, armpits, groin, around the
gut, and between the lungs.
Lymph nodes drain lymph fluid
from nearby organs or areas of the
body.
If you have an infection or cancer, a
lymph node may become swollen.
 PRIMARY FUNCTION

• Lymph nodes work like filters, or in our analogy security guards to filter
bacteria, viruses, parasites, other foreign material (even cancer cells) that
are brought to the nodes via lymphatic vessels
• Not only do they "trap" viruses and bacteria so that T cells can attack, but
one type of T cells presents the invader (or an antigen from the invader) to
B cells so the B cells can make antibodies against the invader. 
ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
Lymphadenitis/Lymphangitis
Lymph nodes can catch viruses and bacteria but are also susceptible to infections
themselves. For those who have been told to watch for a "red streak" after an injury
have learned that infections (usually staph or strep) may begin in an infected wound
and spread rapidly along lymph channels.
Infections involving the lymph nodes often cause a significant fever and chills.
ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
Cancer
Lymph nodes are commonly involved with cancer, but their role often differs between
solid tumors and lymphomas. With solid tumors such as breast cancer, the 
cancer cells usually travel to lymph nodes before traveling (metastasizing) to other
regions of the body.

Cancers that have spread to lymph nodes are usually a higher stage than those that
have not, meaning they have a greater risk of recurring or spreading. In a sense, the
spread of cancer cells to lymph nodes has declared its intent to travel elsewhere.
HOW TO TAKE CARE
• Engaging in different forms of exercise can promote healthy lymphatic
activity – whether that’s a run, walk or regularly standing up and
stretching throughout the day.
• Drinking sufficient water throughout the day encourages healthy
lymphatic function and reduces water retention.
• Prioritizing a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and limiting
processed foods and beverages can improve overall health by
supporting healthy detoxification, boosting the immune system and
promoting optimal lymph function.