Lymphatic System

Composition
- Lymph
- Lymphocytes
- Lymph vessels
- Lymph nodes
- Tonsils
- Spleen
- Thymus gland

Function
1) Maintains fluid balance
- 30 liters of plasma pass out of capillaries each day
- 27 liters get resorbed at capillary
- 3 liter left in tissue spaces get resorbed into lymph vessels

2) Fat absorption from gastrointestinal tract

- lacteals in small intestine
- lymph + fat = chyle (a milky white fluid)

3) Body defense system

- lymph nodes filter lymph
contains lymphocytes
- spleen filters blood

Lymph Vessels
Carry lymph away from tissues

- begins at lymph capillaries (simple squamous epithelium)

- lymph capillaries join together to form vein-like lymph vessels
- lymph vessel contain valves to prevent retrograde flow
o contraction of skeletal muscle
o smooth muscle in lymph vessel wall
o pressure changes in thorax during breathing

1) Right Lymphatic Duct (RLD)

drains lymph from
- right upper limb
- vessels from right halve of head, neck, & chest form the RLD which empties into the right
subclavian vein.
2) Thoracic Duct
The rest of the body drains into the Thoracic Duct which empties into the left subclavian vein.

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Lymph Organs
- Contain lymphatic tissue composed of lymphocytes, macrophages, & other cells.

- Lymphocytes originate from red bone marrow, and are carried by the blood to lymph organs.

- Microorganisms stimulate lymphocyte cell division in germinal centers of lymph nodes. This is called
Immune System Activation

1) Tonsils
Protects body against pathogens entering at the nose and mouth.
a. palatine – posterior oral cavity
b. pharyngeal – nasal cavity, adenoids
c. lingual – posterior tongue

2) Lymph Nodes
- Small, round structures along lymph vessels.
- Lymph passes through at least one node before emptying into vein.
- Superficial aggregation
Inguinal in groin
Axillary
Cervical

The function of a node is to filter lymph and produce lymphocytes.

1) activation of the immune system (lymphocyte cell division)
2) phagocytosis of pathogens by macrophages

3) Spleen
Located in the left upper abdominal cavity
Function:
Filters blood of pathogens and old RBCs
Activation of immune system
Blood reservoir

Easily traumatized

4) Thymus
Located in the superior mediastinum
Function:
Maturation of lymphcytes

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 Defense or Resistance
Ability to resist damage from foreign substances.

Two kinds of defense.

1) Nonspecific Resistance versus 2) Specific Resistance

constant response time faster & faster response time

1) Nonspecific Resistance: Identical response time for repeat infections. Example; each
time a bacterium enters the body, it is phagocytized with the same speed & efficiency.

2) Specific Resistance: The response for repeat infections is faster and more efficient due
to the ability to recognize (specificity) and remember a particular antigen. Specific
resistance also imparts long lasting immunity from a pathogen, so it is also called Specific
Immunity.

1) Nonspecific Resistance
A. Mechanical Mechanisms for preventing entry
- skin & mucous membranes
- tears, saliva, urine wash out microorganisms
- ciliated mucous membranes in lungs
- coughing and sneezing remove from respiratory tract

B. Chemical Mediators (4), bring about or focus immune system

response
1. Lysozyme in tears and saliva
2. Histamine promotes inflammatory response by vasodilating and increasing capillary
permeability (producing edema & swelling)
3. Compliment
Eleven proteins in plasma are inactive, but are activated by bacteria or antibodies.
Active compliment promotes - Inflammation
- Phagcytosis
- Attracts WBCs
- Lysis of bacterial cells

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 Nonspecific Resistance
Chemical Mediators (cont.)
4. Interferons are proteins from infected cells that protect uninfected cells from viral
infection.

Virus Interferons Uninfected

Infected Cell
Cell

Cell Antiviral
More death Proteins
viruses

C. Cells, all WBCs except lymphocytes

White blood cells are the most important cellular component of the immune
system. Histamine and compliment attract WBCs.

- neutrophils (phagocytes) first to arrive

- macrophages are monocytes that have left blood vessels (5x bigger)
- basophils release histamine
- mast cell (not a WBC) in connective tissue release inflammatory chemicals
- eosinophils release chemicals that break down inflammatory chemicals

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2) Specific Resistance (a.k.a Immunity)
Due to an antibody/antigen reaction.

Specific resistance is the ability to recognize, respond, and remember a

particular antigen.

Molecules which stimulate specific resistance are called antigens.

1) Foreign Antigens
- parasites
- bacteria
- viruses
- toxins (chemicals)

2) Self Antigens
- tumors
- autoimmune disease
multiple sclerosis
rheumatoid arthritis

**Specific resistance results from lymphocyte activity!!**

Two types of Lymphocytes

1. B cells produce proteins called antibodies. Thus, antibody mediated

immunity is the result of B cells or B lymphocytes activity.

2. T cells are contact killers. They lyse invading cells on contact. Thus, cell
mediated immunity is the result of T cells or T lymphocytes.

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I. Antibody Mediated Immunity (B-cell)
Works well for extracellular antigens.

A. Primary Response
Antigen binds to receptor on B lymphocyte.

B lymphocyte + Antigen Plasma Memory B Cells

Cells + (Provides long lasting immunity)

Antibodies

Primary response takes 3-14 days.

B. Secondary Response
Memory B cells are responsible for the secondary response for a repeat infection.

1. faster response time, will produce antibodies within a few hours

2. more effective response, many more antibodies are produced

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II. Cell Mediated Immunity (T-cell)
Can work for intracellular antigens.

A. Primary Response
Antigen binds to receptor on T lymphocyte.

Cytotoxic T Cells Memory T Cells

1) promotes inflammation (long lasting immunity)
2) promotes phagocytosis
3) contact killing

Primary response takes 3-14 days.

B. Secondary Response
Memory T cells are responsible for the secondary response for a repeat infection.

1. faster response time, will produce cytotoxic T cells within quickly

2. more effective response, many more cytotoxic T cells are produced

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