The Lymphatic & Immune Systems [Latin: lymph = water ; immune = safe] Medical Terminology
Structures of the Lymphatic System Intercellular/ interstitial Lymph vessels Have valves (like veins) Thoracic duct lacteals Lymph nodes Cervical nodes Axillary nodes Inguinal nodes Afferent & efferent Store lymphocytes Filters (biological) Tonsils Adenoids (nasopharyngeal) Palatine Lingual Appendix Peyer’s Patches These in ileum Spleen Thymus Note 75% / 25% drainage pattern
Functions of the Lymphatic System Returns interstitial (intercellular) fluid to heart Absorbs fat from the G-I tract & transports them into the circulation via lacteals The immune system is part of the lymphatic system; deals with body’s defense
Cells of the Lymphatic System Lymphocytes (will discuss later) B lymphocytes T lymphocytes Macrophages (big eaters)
Spleen Storage site for : Filters blood & lymph Lymphocytes Macrophages RBC’s Platelets Filters blood & lymph
Related Pathology of the Lymphatic System Lymphadenitis Lymphadenopathy Lymphangioma Lymphedema Lymphangiogram Lymphoma Splenomegaly (note one “e”) Splenorrhagia
The Immune System Divided into Non-specific & Specific mechanisms Non-specific first lines of defense Skin Respiratory mucosa & cilia G-I mucosa Non-specific generalized defense Inflammatory response Specific immune mechanism of defense The Immune Response
Immune cells B lymphocytes (humoral [fluid] immunity) Plasma cells (make antibodies) Memory cells T lymphocytes (cellular immunity) Killer T cells (cytotoxic) Helper T cells (“the sentinels”)
Antigen - Antibody Reactions Types of immunity Natural Immunity Active Passive Artificial Immunity Antigen - Antibody Reactions Antigens = “the invader” Antibody = “ the defense” The antibody combines with the antigen & inactivates (destroys) it Humans only make the antibody when exposed to the antigen Active immunity ---- you make the antibody Passive immunity --- you are artificially given the antibody
Pathology of the Immune System Underactive immune system Immunodeficiency AIDS ELISA test Western Blot Planned immunosuppression Overactive immune system Mild = allergy Regular Delayed response Severe = anaphylaxis Out of control immune system = autoimmune disease