What does lymphatic system do?

The lymphatic system has three main function:

1. It returns excess fluid that has accumulated in the tissues to the bloodstream
2. It absorbs fats and fatty acids from the small intestines and transports them
into bloodstream
3. It participate in our defense against infection
What make up lymphatic system?

Lymph- a transparent, straw-colored fluid. It contains water, cells, proteins

and other substances it is made up of whatever needs to be drained or
moved from one place to another
Lymphatic vessels- are thin walled, valved structures that move the lymph
away from the tissues and back to the blood circulation.
Lymph ducts- drain the lymph into large veins near the heart. There are two
lymphatic ducts one that drains the upper right quarter of the body and one
that drains everywhere else

Primary lymphoid tissues- where immune cells manufactured

Bone marrow- a soft material in the cavities of bones. It is a network of

connective tissue fibers, fat cells, blood vessels, and blood-producing cells
Thymus- it has two lobes and is situated slightly above the heart and ventral
to (below) the trachea. The main function of the thymus is to "educate"
certain white blood cells of the immune system called 'T-lymphocytes,' or 'Tcells to identify foreign cells in the body

Secondary lymphoid tissue- where the immune cells mature, where they meet
foreign invaders like infectious organisms, and where the immune response is
triggered

Lymph nodes- a round or bean-shaped structures that are widely distributed

throughout the body. It filter the lymph before it re-enters the blood.
Three Cluster of Lymph Node
a. Armpit (axillary nodes)
b. Neck (cervical nodes)
c. Groin (inguinal nodes)
Spleen- a spongy organ located in the upper left portion of the abdominal
cavity along the outside curve of the stomach. It filters the blood and act as
reservoir for platelets. It is composed of two types of tissue - the red pulp and
the white pulp.
a. The red pulp is mostly used to store blood and break down old red
blood cells.
b. The white pulp has the lymphatic function of filtering the blood for
antigens.
Aggregated lymphoid tissue- collections of lymphoid tissue that are not
encapsulated (in a capsule). The main purpose of the aggregated lymphoid
tissue is defense from invasion at the mucosal surfaces.
a. Tonsils- found at the back of the oral cavity.
Three Cluster
1. Adenoids- opening of nasal cavity
2. Platine tonsils- near the opening of the mouth cavity
3. Lingual tonsils- back of the tongue
b. Peyers patches- found in the lining of the small intestine

Immunity- the ability to resist the harmful effects of microorganisms and other
foreign substances
Non-specific Defenses
A. Mechanical Mechanism
Skin
Mucosa (mucous membrane)
Secretions
B. Inflammatory reactions
C. Cells
D. Chemical Mediators
Specific Defenses (Acquired immunity)

Antigens- stimulates adaptive immunity

T-Cells- involved with cell-mediated immunity
B-Cells- responsible for antibody-mediated immunity

Cell-mediated immunity- function of cytotoxic T cells that produce cytokines,

which promotes inflammation and phagocytosis (ingestion of bacteria)
Antibody-mediated immunity- exposure of antigen that result to the production
of antibodies
Antibodies- protein produce in response to an antigen
Induced immunity
A. Active Immunity- individual produces own antibodies
B. Passive Immunity- individual given antibodies to combat disease