The Lymphatic and Immune Systems Chapter 6 Medical Terminology

Functions of the Lymphatic System Absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins from digestive system and transports them to cells Absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins from digestive system and transports them to cells Return cellular waste products and excess fluid from the tissues to the circulatory system Return cellular waste products and excess fluid from the tissues to the circulatory system Serve as an important part of the immune system Serve as an important part of the immune system

Specialists Allergist – altered immunologic activity such as allergic reactions Allergist – altered immunologic activity such as allergic reactions Hematologist – diseases/disorders of blood and blood forming tissues Hematologist – diseases/disorders of blood and blood forming tissues Immunologist – diseases/disorders of immune system Immunologist – diseases/disorders of immune system Oncologist – malignant disorders such as tumors, cancer Oncologist – malignant disorders such as tumors, cancer

Major Structures of Lymphatic System Lymph fluid Lymph fluid Lymph vessels Lymph vessels Lymph nodes Lymph nodes Tonsils Tonsils Spleen Spleen Lymphocytes Lymphocytes

Lymph Fluid Intercellular fluid as it returns to the venous system Intercellular fluid as it returns to the venous system Contains waste products from the cells and must be filtered by the lymph nodes before entering circulatory system Contains waste products from the cells and must be filtered by the lymph nodes before entering circulatory system

Lymph Structures

Lymph Vessels Capillaries and larger vessels with one way valves like veins Capillaries and larger vessels with one way valves like veins Lacteals – specialized lymph capillaries in the villi of the small intestine through fats and fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed and carried into the bloodstream Lacteals – specialized lymph capillaries in the villi of the small intestine through fats and fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed and carried into the bloodstream

Lymph Fluid

Lymph Nodes Small bean-shaped structures located in lymph vessels that provide a site of lymphocyte production Small bean-shaped structures located in lymph vessels that provide a site of lymphocyte production Filter lymph to remove harmful substances such as microorganisms and malignant cells. Because of this filtering – they may become swollen in disease processes Filter lymph to remove harmful substances such as microorganisms and malignant cells. Because of this filtering – they may become swollen in disease processes Major sites: cervical, axillary, inguinal Major sites: cervical, axillary, inguinal

The Tonsils Masses of lymphatic tissue that form a protective ring around nose and throat include: Masses of lymphatic tissue that form a protective ring around nose and throat include: Adenoids or nasopharyngeal tonsils Adenoids or nasopharyngeal tonsils Palantine tonsils Palantine tonsils Lingual tonsils Lingual tonsils

Palantine Tonsils

Tonsillitis

Peyer’s Patches Lymph tissue located in walls of ileum, small intestine. Lymph tissue located in walls of ileum, small intestine. Important for immune response to pathogen invasion through GI tract. Important for immune response to pathogen invasion through GI tract.

Vermiform Appendix Lymphatic tissue that hangs from lower portion cecum of large intestine Lymphatic tissue that hangs from lower portion cecum of large intestine Top - normal Top - normal Bottom - inflamed Bottom - inflamed Vermiform – means “wormlike” Vermiform – means “wormlike”

Appendicitis

Spleen Saclike mass of lymphatic tissue located in the left upper quadrant of abdomen inferior to diaphragm and posterior to stomach Saclike mass of lymphatic tissue located in the left upper quadrant of abdomen inferior to diaphragm and posterior to stomach Filters microorganisms & foreign materials from blood Filters microorganisms & foreign materials from blood Forms lymphocytes, monocytes for immune system Forms lymphocytes, monocytes for immune system Hemolytic – destroys old RBC’s, stores additional RBC’s and maintains correct balance Hemolytic – destroys old RBC’s, stores additional RBC’s and maintains correct balance

Spleen

Splenomegaly

Splenorrhexis May occur from trauma or infection.

Pathology of Lymphatic System Lymphadenitis – inflammation of lymph nodes “swollen glands” Lymphadenitis – inflammation of lymph nodes “swollen glands” Lymphadenopathy – disease with enlargement of lymph nodes – Persistent may be sign of malignancy or immune system dysfunction Lymphadenopathy – disease with enlargement of lymph nodes – Persistent may be sign of malignancy or immune system dysfunction

Lymphadenitis

Lymphedema Abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid – usually in arms or legs. Often occurred with women after radical mastectomy.

Functions of the Immune System Protect the body from harmful substances such as: Protect the body from harmful substances such as: pathogens pathogens (disease-producing microorganisms) allergensallergens (substances producing an allergic reaction) toxins (poisons)toxins (poisons) malignant cells (cancer)malignant cells (cancer)

Structures of Immune System The immune system uses structures of several other systems

Role of Immune System First role of immune system is to protect body from foreign substances First role of immune system is to protect body from foreign substances Skin-intact is a barrierSkin-intact is a barrier Respiratory-cilia, mucous membranes, coughing & sneezingRespiratory-cilia, mucous membranes, coughing & sneezing Digestive-acids, enzymesDigestive-acids, enzymes Lymphatic-as previously describedLymphatic-as previously described

Immune Response Antigen-virus, bacteria, toxin, Antigen-virus, bacteria, toxin, any foreign substance Antibody-disease fighting protein produced in response presence of an antigen Antigen-Antibody Reaction – immune response, binds antigens to antibodies so other cells of immune system can recognize and destroy them

Cells of Immune Reaction Lymphocytes-WBC’s that attack specific microorganisms Lymphocytes-WBC’s that attack specific microorganisms B cells- specific antibody for specific antigen – usually viruses or bacteriaB cells- specific antibody for specific antigen – usually viruses or bacteria T cells – can be helper that identify antigens or killer that kill infected cells on contactT cells – can be helper that identify antigens or killer that kill infected cells on contact Body makes “memory” copies of these cells that are stored to handle these infections in future. Many are stored in spleen.Body makes “memory” copies of these cells that are stored to handle these infections in future. Many are stored in spleen.

Immunity Natural – passed from mother to infant esp. in breast milk Natural – passed from mother to infant esp. in breast milk Acquired – development of antibodies during attack by infectious agent Acquired – development of antibodies during attack by infectious agent Artificial – also known as immunization – acquired through vaccination Artificial – also known as immunization – acquired through vaccination

Immune System Response Factors Health status Health status Age – older or younger at greater risk Age – older or younger at greater risk Heredity Heredity If immune system is weakened it is called immunocompromised If immune system is weakened it is called immunocompromised Opportunistic infections – pathogen that normally does not cause disease in healthy person, attacks compromised individual Opportunistic infections – pathogen that normally does not cause disease in healthy person, attacks compromised individual

Allergic Reactions Allergy or hypersensitivity – overreaction of body to particular antigen Allergy or hypersensitivity – overreaction of body to particular antigen Systemic reaction or anaphylactic reactions are severe response and cause swelling of airways & drops in BP that can cause death in minutes. Systemic reaction or anaphylactic reactions are severe response and cause swelling of airways & drops in BP that can cause death in minutes. Can be in response to insects, foods, drugs, venom, or chemicals Antihistamines – block and control allergic reactions. Examples are Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec Antihistamines – block and control allergic reactions. Examples are Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec

Anaphylaxis

Autoimmune Disorders Body misreads antigens and produces antibodies and directs T cells against own body tissues Body misreads antigens and produces antibodies and directs T cells against own body tissues Examples: Diabetes Type 1, Psoriasis, Lupus Examples: Diabetes Type 1, Psoriasis, Lupus 75% occur in women of childbearing age 75% occur in women of childbearing age

What About HIV? What is it? HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus. What is it? HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus. How do you get it? How do you get it? Through semen, vaginal fluids or blood contact – it is a sexually transmitted and blood-borne disease. Can also be passed mother to infant and in breast milk.Through semen, vaginal fluids or blood contact – it is a sexually transmitted and blood-borne disease. Can also be passed mother to infant and in breast milk. Most common ways are unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing contaminated IV drug equipment/needlesMost common ways are unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing contaminated IV drug equipment/needles

How Do You NOT Get HIV?? casual, everyday contact casual, everyday contact shaking hands, hugging, kissing shaking hands, hugging, kissing coughs, sneezes coughs, sneezes giving blood giving blood swimming pools, toilet seats swimming pools, toilet seats sharing eating utensils, water fountains sharing eating utensils, water fountains mosquitoes, other insects, or animals. mosquitoes, other insects, or animals.

How Does HIV Hurt the Body? The HIV virus attaches itself to the helper T lymphocytes (CD4 cells) and uses it to reproduce new viruses. These helper T cells are eventually destroyed by the virus. The HIV virus attaches itself to the helper T lymphocytes (CD4 cells) and uses it to reproduce new viruses. These helper T cells are eventually destroyed by the virus. As a person’s T cell count drops – they become immunocompromised or susceptible to many types of infection. They now have AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. As a person’s T cell count drops – they become immunocompromised or susceptible to many types of infection. They now have AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

How Do You Know You Have HIV? The virus may live for 10 years or more in the body before it causes AIDS. The person will appear healthy but can infect other people. The virus may live for 10 years or more in the body before it causes AIDS. The person will appear healthy but can infect other people. You cannot tell if a person is HIV positive by looking at them! You cannot tell if a person is HIV positive by looking at them! The blood test for HIV is the ELISA if this is positive – diagnosis is confirmed by the Western blot test. The blood test for HIV is the ELISA if this is positive – diagnosis is confirmed by the Western blot test.

Can HIV/AIDS be cured? There is no cure for AIDS or the HIV infection. It can be treated with drugs called anti-retrovirals that interfere with the viruses ability to replicate itself slowing its progression. There is no cure for AIDS or the HIV infection. It can be treated with drugs called anti-retrovirals that interfere with the viruses ability to replicate itself slowing its progression. One reason a cure has not been found is the fact that the HIV virus mutates so easily – now having 10 sub-types with multiple varieties under each type – even some “resistant” strains. One reason a cure has not been found is the fact that the HIV virus mutates so easily – now having 10 sub-types with multiple varieties under each type – even some “resistant” strains.

Breast Cancer Most common form Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Most common form Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) 1% does occur in men (1 per every 100,000) 1% does occur in men (1 per every 100,000) Early detection critical – through breast self exam and mammograms Early detection critical – through breast self exam and mammograms

Terms Related to Cancer Oncology – the study of tumors and cancers Oncology – the study of tumors and cancers Benign – not recurring, not malignant. Good chance of recovery Benign – not recurring, not malignant. Good chance of recovery Malignant – harmful, tending to spread and get worse Malignant – harmful, tending to spread and get worse Metastasize – cancer spreading from one area of the body to another Metastasize – cancer spreading from one area of the body to another Metastasis – new site of cancer growth Metastasis – new site of cancer growth

Biopsy – removing small amount tissue for study and diagnosis Very commonly done as needle biopsy to take small core sample of tissue.