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Lymphatic System
Lymphatic System & Immunology
101
Anatomy
Undergraduate 2
03/20/2011

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Term
lymph
Definition
excess interstitial fluid, needs to be delivered back to blood
Term
lymph vessels
Definition
- also called lymphatics, transport lymph back to blood (extensive bodywide network)
- start out as a lymph capillary and are always associated with blood capillaries; "blind end tube"
- lymph capillary walls are more permeable than a blood capillary
- lymph capillary found in any place there is a blood capillary; except none in red bone marrow, none in CNS, none in portions of the spleen
- merge into larger vessels and eventually 2 large ducts (right lymphatic: drains rt. head, neck, thorax, rt. arm; thoracic: drains everything else).
- both ducts empty into venous blood
Term
what keeps lymph moving?
Definition
1) skeletal muscle pump
2) respiratory pump
3) large lumen
4) valves
Term
lymphoid cells
Definition
- in lymphoid organs
- lymphocytes & macrophages (fixed; activate immune system cells; reticuloendothelial system ALSO called mononuclear phagocytic system)
Term
dendritic cells (lymphoid cell)
Definition
- capable of recognizing foreign cells; they capture foreign cells and bring them to lymph nodes or spleen so that macrophages can phagocytose, activate immune system cells
Term
reticular fibers in lymphoid organs
Definition
- contain a large number of reticular fibers which form the framework for the lymphoid organs; serve as attachment points for fixed macrophages
Term
lymphoid tissue
Definition
- made up of lymphoid cells
- act as surveillance sites for microbes
- serve as places where immune system cells proliferate (become more numerous)
Term
2 forms of lymphoid tissue
Definition
1) diffuse lymphoid tissue
- scattered throughout, no particular shape/form
- in mucous membranes and lymphoid organs (lymph nodes & spleen)

2) lymphoid nodules/follicles
- discrete form; masses (ovals)
- in mucous membrane and lymphoid organs (lymph nodes & spleen)
Term
primary lymphatic organs
Definition
1) red bone marrow
2) thymus gland
- they both serve as sites for production of immune system cells (B cells & T cells)
Term
secondary lymphatic organs
Definition
1) lymph nodes
2) spleen
- sites of immune system reactions with B cells and T cells
Term
lymph nodes
Definition
- scattered along the entire lymph vessel system
- there are large clusters of lymph nodes
- as lymph passes through vessels, passes through lymph nodes => chock full of lymphoid cells including macrophages => macrophages pluck off foreign cells and carry out phagocytosis
Term
cervical cluster (lymph nodes)
Definition
- located near the internal jugular vein
- filter lymph coming from the head and the neck
Term
submandibular cluster (lymph nodes)
Definition
- located near the submandibular gland, inferior/anterior region of the ears
- filter lymph from lips and nose
Term
axillary cluster (lymph nodes)
Definition
- located in the armpit
- filters lymph coming from the chest and the underarm region
Term
inguinal cluster (lymph nodes)
Definition
- located in the lowest lateral regions of the abdomen
- filters lymph coming from the groin region
Term
spleen
Definition
- largest of the lymphoid organs
- left side of the abdominal cavity just below the diaphragm
- served by the splenic artery/vein

divided internally into 2 parts
1) white pulp - large clusters of lymphocytes
2) red pulp - venous sinuses (cavities containing venous blood; serves as a reservoir of blood in a certain volume)
Term
functions of the spleen
Definition
- major site for lymphocytes (proliferation & immune system responses)
- removes foreign cells w/ macrophages & old formed elements
- stores iron & platelets
- fetus => RBC production
- reservoir for blood: SNS fibers in the spleen; in hemorrhaging, the SNS tells the spleen to contract => squeezes stored blood into circulation
- soft organ often removed = lost principal site of immune reaction (infections)
Term
thymus gland
Definition
- most active in infancy and early childhood
- produces hormone thymosin (converts a lymphocyte to a T cell)
- only function is to make T cells
Term
tonsils
Definition
- cluster of lymphatic nodules (contain macrophages)
- filter out foreign cells that you breathe in
- 3 sets: palatine (either side of posterior end of the oral cavity), lingual (base of the tongue), pharygneal/adenoid (posterior wall of the nasopharynx)
- not removed unless chronically infected
Term
Peyer's patches
Definition
- clusters of lymphatic nodules that are located in the distal wall of the ileum (terminal region of the small intestine)
- protect against digestive tract infections
Term
appendix
Definition
- identify lymphoid nodules => defensive mechanism, filter out foreign cells & bacteria to protect you against infection
Term
MALT
Definition
mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
- tonsils & Peyer's patches
- defense mechanism => tonsils & Peyer's patches filter out foreign cells => protect against respiratory and digestive tract infections
- also referred to as GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue)
Term
defense mechanisms
Definition
- built-in defenses against infection/disease
- 2 broad categories with a significant overlap between the two categories
1) nonspecific defense mechanisms
2) specific defense mechanisms
Term
nonspecific defense mechanisms
Definition
- protects you against a wide variety of pathogens at the same time
- innate immunity => in place ALL the time; born with
- response to pathogen is always the same (time to occur & intensity)
- often referred to as your first line of defense
Term
specific defense mechanisms
Definition
- immune system (B cells & T cells) => specific pathogens
- adaptive immunity => no immune protection until you are exposed to the pathogen (antigen)
- once you have created the immune response, it has memory => on subsequent exposures, the immune response occurs more quickly and intensely => no infection (generalization)
Term
intact skin (innate/nonspecific DM)
Definition
- most significant nonspecific DM
- keratin => water & bacteria proof
- dry skin is healthy, bacteria cannot survive
- slightly acidic
- oil/sebum => contributes to physical barrier; more difficult for microbes to get through
Term
mucous membrane (innate/nonspecific DM)
Definition
- physical barrier (mucous) traps
- healthy & moist
Term
tears (innate/nonspecific DM)
Definition
- washing action
- enzymes (lysozymes) => break down bacterial cells "bacteriolytic"
Term
saliva (innate/nonspecific DM)
Definition
- flushes microbes
- also contains lysozymes
Term
urination (innate/nonspecific DM)
Definition
- cleanses urethra because urinary system needs sterilization
Term
diarrhea/vomiting (innate/nonspecific DM)
Definition
- mostly due to bacterial/viral infection
Term
gastric juices (innate/nonspecific DM)
Definition
- rich in hydrochloric acid
- contents (pH) of stomach (2.0)
Term
chemicals in innate/nonspecific DM
Definition
- lysozymes
- defensin => small protein found in mucous membrane; pokes holes in microbial cell membrane
- transferrin (blood) & lactoferrin (mother's milk) => bind to free iron so that microbes cannot use
Term
phagocytosis
Definition
steps: 1) chemotaxis; 2) adherence; 3) ingestion; 4) digestion; 5) killing

- neutrophils (1st to respond) & macrophages are important in this for bacteria & viruses
- eosinophils => phagocytose antigen-antibody complexes
Term
natural killer cells
Definition
- second line of defense
- found in blood & lymph
- unique type of a lymphocyte
- not pre-programmed for a specific pathogen like T cells & B cells; will go after ANY foreign cell
- destroy pathogens that pass through 1st lines of defense & destroy certain cancer cells
- DO NOT carry out phagocytosis; instead they use chemicals => perforin (pokes holes in microbial cell membrane)
Term
inflammation
Definition
- GOOD thing (generally); homeostatic response to tissue damage so that cells can clean up a damaged site; tissue repair can occur
- 4 symptoms: redness, swelling, heat, pain (sometimes temporary loss of function)
Term
what triggers inflammation?
Definition
- "chemical alarm"
- histamine (found in mast cells, basophils, platelets)
- kinins (produced from chemicals that are routinely found in blood; activated when tissue is damaged)
- leukotrienes (found in basophils, mast cells - released when cell is damaged)
- prostaglandin (cell membrane-bound compound; trigger inflammation when released from CM)
- cause VD where released; increased blood flow is responsible for inflammatory symptoms
- chemicals are important in chemotaxis
Term
what happens during the inflammatory response?
Definition
- increased blood flow provides a 'vehicle' to haul off garbage (dissolved in blood)
- fibroblasts move into damaged site (fibers serve as framework for new tissue)
- exudate production => pus (garbage that needs to be hauled off) => needs to be eliminated before microbes find it and set up residency
Term
interferon
Definition
- broad spectrum antiviral protein that is species specific
- produced by NKC, macrophages, and fibroblasts when infected with a virus
- cells crank out baby viruses and interferon; cell dissolves from lysozymes; molecule of interferon moves with baby viruses => prevents viral multiplication but HAS to be in the cell before virus multiplies
Term
complement
Definition
- group of proteins found in blood and certain cell membranes
- named C with a number (ex: C1)
- normally inactive; when activated => significant role in both arms of defense mechanisms
Term
nonspecific defense functions of complement
Definition
- enhances inflammation
- opsonization => process that enhances phagocytosis; coating microbes in complement
- cytolysis
Term
c-reactive protein
Definition
- specific complement molecule => produced in liver in response to the presence of inflammatory chemicals in the liver
- diagnostic tool to indicate the presence of an infection or an inflammatory response occuring in the body
Term
cytokines
Definition
- chemical molecules produced by one cell to deliver a message to another cell
- lymphokine (produced spec. by lymphocyte), monokine (produced spec. by monocyte), etc.
- ex: interferon, colony stimulating factors, interleukin (activates NKC)
Term
fever (low-grade)
Definition
- good with defense mechanisms
- for every degree increase, metabolism increases by 10%
- phagocytic cells work better, intensifies action of cytokines, increased tissue repair
Term
normal flora
Definition
- microbes that live in/on you all of the time
- if they take up enough space, there's no room for pathogens
Term
specific/adaptive defense mechanisms
Definition
3 major properties
1) specificity => specific protection
2) systemic
3) memory

2 types of immune responses:
1) cell-mediated
2) antibody-mediated
Term
cell-mediated immunity
Definition
- involves activity of cytotoxic (killer) T cell; directly destroys foreign cells, protects against intracellular viruses, fungi, protozoa, tissue transplant cells, some cancer cells
- antibodies are effective on pathogens in body fluids, once it becomes intracellular => antibodies have no effect, T cells (thymus-derived cells) can attack
Term
antibody-mediated immunity (humoral immunity)
Definition
- antibodies are proteins dissolved in blood => B cells will become plasma cells (make & secrete antibodies) => antibodies are capable of complexing with antigens => antigen-antibody complex => will NOT kill the antigen, targets for destruction; very important in protection against extracellular viruses, bacteria, & bacterial toxins
Term
antigen
Definition
- any substance when injected into an organism, causes an immune response; body recognizes as foreign
- anything protein (best chemical molecule for antigen): ex => albumin
- has to be big: immune system needs to be able to 'read' it
Term
immunogenicity
Definition
- ability of antigen to cause immune response; production of a specific antibody
Term
reactivity
Definition
- antigen reacts with preformed antibody or sensitized T cell
Term
complete antigen
Definition
- an antigen has both immunogenicity and reactivity
Term
determinant/epitope
Definition
- part of the antigen that the immune system sees, recognizes, and responds to; provides 3D lock & key fit with antibody
Term
hapten
Definition
- molecule that is too small for immunogenicity but will react with preformed antibody or sensitized T cell
- attaches to a protein which takes care of size criteria; now becomes epitope
Term
major histocompatibility complex antigens (MHC antigens)
Definition
- glycoproteins (CM of every cell except RBCs)
- self-marker => identify your cells as belonging to you, 'pin number'
- 50 genes => variability; no 2 human beings have same genetic markers except identical twins
- immunologic tolerance => ability to differentiate self and non-self based on MHC antigens
Term
immunologic tolerance
Definition
- ability of immune system to discriminate between self and non-self MHC antigens
- immune system ignores (fails to respond) to a specific immune system antigen aka your MHC antigens, anything that doesn't have your MHC antigens, the immune system attacks
Term
immunologic competence (immunocompetence)
Definition
- the ability of an immune system cell to recognize and then respond to a specific antigen
- all T cells and B cells are pre-programmed for a specific antigen
Term
immunocompetent cells
Definition
- have receptors on their cell membranes
- they match with epitopes on B & T cells (receptor sites)
Term
antigen processing
Definition
- described as a process that prepares the antigen so the immune system cell will recognize it
- macrophages normally make the first identification
Term
B cell response
Definition
- humoral response (dissolved in bodily fluids)
- first time exposed is defined as an antigenic challenge
- an appropriate B cell response => clone forms and makes identical clones for a specific antigen
- divided into groups based on function: 1) plasma cells (cells that make and secrete antibody to complex with antigens); 2) memory B cells (doesn't make antibody; more sensitive to the presence of the antigen => responds more quickly & intensely)
- plasma cells clear out a current infection and B cells last for a lifetime
Term
antibodies
Definition
- glycoproteins found in plasma = globulins
- made & secreted by plasma cells
Term
gammaglobulins
Definition
- antibody that functions in immune protection
Term
immunoglobulin
Definition
- Ig, made by plasma cells (proteins)
- can complex with antigens; forms an antigen-antibody complex
- does not kill antigen; merely inactivates/tags
Term
antibody structure
Definition
- all antibodies are made up of at least four polypeptide chains which are held together by chemical bonds
- 2 sets: 1) identical fairly long = heavy chains; 2) identical fairly short = light chains
- tips of the antibody are called the variable region
Term
variable region
Definition
- amino acid sequence varies from antibody to antibody
- produces 3D fit for antibody's antigen
Term
constant region
Definition
- amino acid sequence is identical for every antibody in a given class of antibodies
- some antibodies have multiples of those four chains
Term
5 classes of antibodies
Definition
- IgG
- IgM
- IgE
- IgA
- IgD
Term
IgG
Definition
- most numerous; 80%
- found in blood, lymph
- protection against pathogens, extracellular viruses, bacteria, & bacterial toxins
- opsonization
- takes a few weeks to reach high levels; crosses the placenta from mom to fetus
Term
IgM
Definition
- 10%, lg. molecule
- 5 sets of 4 polypeptide chains
- too big to cross placenta; 1st antibody in baby's immune system
- blood & lymph
- opsonization
- produced during an initial infection => modifies the infection; levels will go back to zero after a couple weeks => INITIAL PROTECTION
- titer = measure of a specific antibody (IgM)
- agglutinins belong to the class IgM
Term
IgA
Definition
- blood & lymph
- in mucous membranes; localized protection => protects you where microbes are most likely to get into you
- in tears, saliva, secretions of the GI tube, mother's milk
- decrease significantly during periods of stress
Term
IgD
Definition
- small amounts in blood and lymph
- present on the cell membrane of B cells; functions as the receptor site (attachment pt.) for the epitope of the B cell => will react to antigen
Term
IgE
Definition
- cell-membrane bound (attached to CM of a mast cell = contain histamine)
- when it complexes with its antigen; complex forms on cell membrane of a mast cell => causes mast cell to rupture and release histamine which is strongly chemotaxic
- protects against parasitic infections, antibody of allergies
Term
immune complex
Definition
- another term for antigen-antibody complex
Term
monoclonal antibodies (MAbs)
Definition
- produced in the lab
- incredibly important in diagnosis (home pregnancy kits, strep throat)
- used as a treatment for certain infections & deliver chemicals to cancer cells
- hybridoma => plasma cell & cancer cell
Term
cell-mediated immunity (Step 1)
Definition
cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells migrate out of thymus gland, move into lymph nodes and spleen and set up residency, cannot recognize antigens by themselves
Term
cell-mediated immunity (Step 2)
Definition
- macrophage takes antigen and finds appropriate killer T cell (cytotoxic T cell) => antigen processing
- tons and tons of killer T cells (activated) destroys antigen with chemicals => have immunocompetence, NKC do not
Term
memory T cells
Definition
- like memory B cells but T cells are more sensitized to antigen => quick, intense on any subsequent exposure => long term protection
Term
cell-mediated immunity (Step 3)
Definition
- helper T cells produced in thymus gland, as produced => move out and set up permanent residency in lymphoid cells, help regulate immune responses; essential to both B cell and T cell activity => WITHOUT THESE THERE IS NO IMMUNE RESPONSE.
Term
cell-mediated immunity (Step 4)
Definition
- helper T cells function by secreting cytokines which produce interferon, interleukin (division of helper T cells), secrete chemicals that make B cells divide and are chemotaxic (call on macrophages)
- helper T cells help intensify both arms of the immune system therefore intensifying attacks on foreign antigens
Term
suppressor T cell
Definition
- "regulatory T cell" - present in small numbers; dampen/reduce an immune response when you no longer need it
- thought to be involved in immunologic tolerance
- if they don't do their job => autoimmune disease
- in any given individual, there is a population of suppressor T cells that eliminate any immunocompetent B cell or T cell for self => the only immunocompetent B cells and T cells that are left are those programmed for foreign antigens
Term
delayed hypersensitivity T cells
Definition
- have immunocompetence (ex: tuberculosis, hepatitis B)
- when they recognize their antigen, they don't destroy it => instead, secrete chemicals that are chemotaxic => macrophages clean up the garbage
Term
T cells
Definition
- variety of proteins (CD proteins) on CM of T cells
- tell the difference between the different types of T cells based on proteins on CM

- cytotoxic T cells (also referred to as T8 cells) => CD8 protein
- helper T cells (also referred to as T4 cells) => CD4 protein
Term
immune system protection
Definition
- antibodies and killer T cells
- immune system can make own response => active immunity
- immune system that you acquire from someone/something else => passive immunity
Term
naturally acquired active immunity
Definition
- antigenic challenge in the form of infection (involves IgG and memory B cells)
Term
artificially acquired active immunity
Definition
- antigenic challenge in the form of vaccine (involves IgG and memory B cells)
Term
naturally acquired passive immunity
Definition
- transfer of IgG from mom to fetus across the placenta => antibody is the only thing that crosses (antibody is a protein) => short term (3 months)
Term
artificially acquired passive immunity
Definition
- gamma globulin therapy => dose of a specific IgG (ex: RhoGAM)
- gamma globulin responds to virus before immune system recognizes => gamma globulin is a protein so it deteriorates => short term protection (2-3 months) => NO ANTIGENIC CHALLENGE
Term
vaccine
Definition
- suspension of antigen that when injected into an organism causes an immune response (IgG and memory B cells for antigen)
- no vaccine confers 100% protection
Term
whole cell, killed bacterial vaccine
Definition
- grow bacteria and kill in lab, inject dead cell into patient (ex: pertussis)
Term
attenuated bacterial vaccine
Definition
- microbe in vaccine is alive but altered so it cannot give you the infection (ex: BCG => tuberculosis)
Term
bacterial toxoid vaccine
Definition
- takes toxin of bacteria and alters it (ex: tetanus, diphtheria)
Term
viral killed vaccines
Definition
- grow viruses in lab and kill it (ex: flu and polio)
Term
attenuated viral vaccines
Definition
- virus is alive but altered (ex: MMR, chicken pox, shingles, oral polio)
- produces immune response close to naturally acquired immunity
Term
microbial component vaccine
Definition
- only insert epitope into vaccine (ex: pneumococcal, Hibs, acellular pertussis, meningococcal, HBV)
- must get booster shots every so often
Term
immune system and cancer
Definition
- cell divides out of control, marker on CM changes (foreign antigen => cytotoxic T cell)
- some people get cancer because the marker does not change significantly enough => immune system elicits a weak response
- some cancers have markers that are always the same and can be used as a diagnostic tool in blood screening (ex: PSA levels for prostate cancer)
Term
organ transplant
Definition
- MHC antigens are the issue, 4 types of grafts
1) autograft => your tissue (ex: skin graft)
2) isograft => between identical twins
3) allograft => between genetically different individuals of the same species
4) xenograft => between different speciees (each species has its own MHC system; markers are so different, it's virtually impossible to use but can be done)
Term
criteria to match for an organ transplant
Definition
- ABO/Rh
- markers on WBC
- go to recipient and check for antibodies to donor MHC (immunosuppressant drugs => target specific T cells; lifelong)
Term
graft vs. host disease
Definition
- transplanted tissue mounts an immune response against recipient => fatal
- most often occurs in bone marrow transplants
Term
immunodeficiencies
Definition
- cannot produce immune response OR can produce but can't maintain => leads to infection
- problem with immune system cells/components
- can occur at any time within the lifespan

1) genetic, primary => born with (SCID - severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome), child has no immune function
2) acquired, secondary => after birth; malnourishment, AIDS
Term
autoimmune diseases
Definition
- disease that occurs when immune system loses immunologic tolerance
- autoantibodies (antibodies against self-antigens)
- 55% of all adults => 2/3 are women
- autoimmune hemolytic anemia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, multiple sclerosis
- can be caused by a self antigen or a foreign antigen
Term
autoimmune disease (foreign antigen)
Definition
- ex: strep throat => antibody for strep is close to protein in heart valve; can cross-react => rheumatic fever
- ex: beta cells in pancreas => secrete insulin => child has viral infection; antibodies complex with virus; travels to pancrease => cross-reacts w/ beta cells
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