LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

AND IMMUNITY

Lymphatic System and Immunity

Major function in the body

Circulates body fluids and defends against

disease-causing agents

Innate defenses and immunity protect against

general and specific damage or disease

Lymphatic system is closely related to

cardiovascular and digestive systems

Lymphatic system - is composed of lymph vessels, lymph nodes,

and organs.

The functions of this system include the

absorbtion of excess fluid and its return to the blood stream,
absorption of fat (in the villi of the small intestine) and
the immune system function.
Immunity - is the body's capability to repel foreign substances and
cells.

The immune response includes both specific and nonspecific

components.
The nonspecific responses are the first line of defense.
- Nonspecific responses block the entry and spread of diseasecausing agents.
Highly specific responses are the second line of defense and are
tailored to an individual threat.
- Antibody-mediated and cell-mediated responses are two
types of specific response.

The immune system is

associated with
defense against diseasecausing agents,
problems in transplants
and blood transfusions, and
diseases resulting from
over-reaction (autoimmune,
allergies) and underreaction (AIDS).

Lymph organs
bone marrow
lymph nodes
spleen
thymus

Lymph Organs
Bone marrow - contains tissue that produces

lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes (B-cells) mature in the

bone marrow. T-lymphocytes (T-cells) mature in the
thymus gland. Other blood cells such as monocytes and
leukocytes are produced in the bone marrow.
Lymph nodes - are areas of concentrated
lymphocytes and macrophages along the lymphatic
veins.

Lymph Organs

Thymus secretes a hormone, thymosin, that

causes pre-T-cells to mature (in the thymus)
into T-cells.
Spleen is similar to the lymph node except
that it is larger and filled with blood. Spleen
serves as a reservoir for blood, and filters or
purifies the blood and lymph fluid that flows
through it. If the spleen is damaged or
removed, the individual is more susceptible to
infections.

Lymph Nodes

Along lymphatic
vessels and scattered
throughout the body
Groups near surface
regions of:

Cervical area
Axillary
Inguinal

Capsule with
trabeculae
Inner network of
reticular fibers and
fibroblasts

LYMPH NODES

Spleen

Largest mass of lymphatic tissue

Passage for splenic artery, splenic vein and
efferent lymphatic vessels
White pulp

Lymphocytes and macrophages

Central arteries

Red pulp

Venous sinuses
Splenic cords

RBCs, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and

granulocytes

Functions of Spleen

Macrophage removal of damaged blood

cells and platelets

Storage of platelets

Hemopoiesis of fetus

Thymus

Two lobes separated by capsule of connective tissue

Trabeculae - separate lobes of tyhmus into lobules
Cortex - produce thymic hormones
Types of cells in cortex
T cells, dendritic, and macrophages
Epithelial cells

Medulla localization and storage of mature thymic cells

T cells mature
Thymic (Hassalls) corpuscles
Populates secondary lymphatic organs and tissues with T cells

Nonspecific Resistance (Responses)

Present at birth - tears and saliva secrete enzymes that

breakdown bacterial cell walls
Immediate protection against variety of pathogens and
foreign substances
First line of defense
Skin and mucous membranes - lining the respiratory,
digestive,
urinary, and reproductive tracts
Physical and chemical - Damaged cells release
chemical signals
such as histamine that increase capillary blood flow
into the affected area (causing the areas to become
heated and reddened).

Nonspecific Resistance (Responses)

Second line of defense

Antimicrobial proteins, natural killer cells and
phagocytes, inflammation, and fever

Specific Resistance or Immunity

(Responses)
has a memory component that improves response time when an
invader of the same type (or species) is again encountered.

Defense against a particular type of invader

Antigens (Ags) - antibodies specific to a given antigen
(molecules carried or produced by microorganisms that
initiate antibody production)
Foreign and provoke response
Specificity for particular foreign bodies
Self from non-self
Memory for previously encountered Ags
Provokes more rapid and vigorous response
Immune system

Disorders associated with the

lymphatic system

Lymphomas - progressive painless enlargement of lymph nodes

throughout the body

Lymphodenitis - caused by microbes transported in lymph

from other areas of infection. nodes become inflamed, enlarged
and congested with blood, and chemotaxis attracts large
numbers of phagocytes.

ex. septicaemia or bacteraemia - Septicaemia (blood poisoning) is caused

when bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply
uncontrollably.