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Lymphatic and Immune System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (21)

  • What is the lymphoid system composed of?
    Cells, tissues, and organs responsible for defending the body against environmental hazards and internal threats, including lymph, lymphatic vessels, lymphoid tissues, and lymphocytes.
  • What are the main types of lymphocytes?
    T-cells, B-cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells.
  • What is the function of lymphatic vessels?
    They begin in peripheral tissues and end at veins, transporting lymph fluid back to the cardiovascular system.
  • What are lymphoid tissues and organs?
    Lymph nodes, thymus, tonsils, Peyer's patches, MALT, and spleen.
  • How do lymphatic capillaries differ from blood capillaries?
    Lymphatic capillaries originate as pockets, have larger diameters, thinner walls, and a larger shape, allowing fluid and large molecules to enter.
  • What prevents backflow in small lymphatic vessels?
    Valves similar to veins that prevent backflow because lymph pressure is minimal.
  • What is the thoracic duct and its function?
    A major lymphatic trunk that collects lymph from the body inferior to the diaphragm and the left side superior to the diaphragm, emptying into the left subclavian vein.
  • What is the role of the right lymphatic duct?
    It collects lymph from the right jugular, right subclavian, and right bronchomediastinal trunks and empties into the right subclavian vein.
  • What is lymphedema?
    Blockage of lymphatic drainage causing increased interstitial fluids and a higher chance of infections in the affected area.
  • What are the primary lymphoid organs?
    Thymus gland and bone marrow, where lymphocytes mature.
  • What are secondary lymphoid organs?
    Lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, Peyer's patches, and MALT where lymphocytes are activated.
  • What is the function of lymph nodes?
    They purify lymph by removing antigens and present them to lymphocytes, acting as an early warning system for infections.
  • What is the thymus gland's role in immunity?
    It is where T-cells mature and is large in newborns and children but shrinks with age.
  • What are the functions of the spleen?
    Removal of abnormal blood cells, storage of iron, and initiation of immune responses by B and T cells.
  • What is phagocytosis in the immune system?
    The process by which macrophages engulf and digest pathogens and present antigens to lymphocytes.
  • What is immunological surveillance?
    NK cells monitor and destroy virus-infected cells, tumor cells, and parasite-infected cells.
  • What are interferons and their function?
    Small proteins released by infected cells that signal neighboring cells to inhibit viral replication and activate immune cells.
  • What is the role of Helper T cells?
    They stimulate T and B cell responses in specific/adaptive immunity.
  • What is the role of Cytotoxic T cells?
    They perform direct cellular attacks on infected or abnormal cells.
  • What is the role of Regulatory T cells?
    They moderate and regulate T cell responses to prevent overactivity.
  • How do B cells respond to antigens?
    They differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies specific to antigens.