ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

LESSON 13 | LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM e. Thoracic (Left Lymphatic) Duct
- Main duct for the RETURN of Lymph to Blood.
1. Drainage of Excess Interstitial fluid
- Lymphatic vessels drain excess interstitial fluid from i. Cisterna chyli
tissue spaces and return it to the blood. - Abdominal origin of the Thoracic duct.
- Closely links with the cardiovascular system. - Begins as a Dilation.
- Receives lymph from the right and left lumbar trunks
2. Transportation of Dietary Lipids and Intestinal trunk.
- Lymphatic vessels transport lipids and lipid-soluble - Drains lymph into venous blood at the junction of the
vitamins (A, D, E, & K) Left internal jugular and left subclavian veins.
- Absorbed by the Gastrointestinal tract.
f. Right Lymphatic Duct
3. Carries out Immune System - Receives Lymph from the
- Lymphatic tissue initiates highly specific responses i. Right jugular
directed against microbes or abnormal cells. ii. Right subclavian
iii. Right Broncho mediastinal trunks
- Drains into venous blood at the junction of the Right
COMPONENTS internal Jugular and Right Subclavian veins.

a. Lymph LYMPH FLOW

- Interstitial fluid that passes into lymphatic vessels. i. UNIDIRECTIONAL - Both ducts return fluid
from tissues into the CVS in one direction.
b. Lymphatic Vessels ii. Lymphatic vessels have numerous valves-
- Means of Transport of the Lymph prevent backflow of lymph.
- Thin-walled tubes throughout the body: numerous iii. Regulation of Lymph Flow
within skin tissues (dermis). a. Skeletal Muscle Pump
- “Milking action” of skeletal muscle contractions.
Lymphatic Capillaries
- Microscopic tubes making up the network which b. Respiratory Pump
drains the Lymph. - Maintained by pressure changes that occur during
Lacteals: Specialized lymphatic capillaries in inhalation and exhalation.
the Small Intestine- Carry dietary lipids
(chyle) into lymphatic vessels and blood. c. Contraction of smooth muscle in
Lymphatic vessel walls
c. Lymphatic Tissue
- Specialized form of reticular connective tissue
- Contains large numbers of Lymphocytes.

d. Red Bone Marrow

forms a specialized stem cell connective tissue that fills
the cavities of most bones. Its major function is the
formation of blood cells (hematopoiesis).

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 13 | LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
LYMPHATIC ORGAN
- Upper Thorax in the mediastinum between the
lungs and dorsal sternum
- Fetal development – relatively large (70g)
- After puberty: Adipose and Areolar connective
tissue begins to replace the thymic tissue.

PARTS
A. The Outer Cortex
i. Immature T cells (Pre-T cells)
- Migrate from redbone marrow to the cortex of the
thymus.
- Proliferation and Maturation occurs.

ii. Dendritic cells (from monocytes)

- Assists in the maturation process.

iii. Epithelial Cells

- Serves as a framework for as many as 50 T cells.
PRIMARY LYMPHATIC ORGANS - “Educate” the T cells in a process called (Positive
- Sites where Stem cells divide and become Selection)
Immunocompetent (mediate the immune - Produce Thymosin – aid in the maturation of T
response) cells.
i. Red bone marrow
ii. Thymus iv. Thymic Macrophages
- Help clear out the debris of dead and dying cells.
SECONDARY LYMPHATIC ORGANS AND TISSUES
- Sites where most immune response occur. • Remaining T cells die via Apoptosis
i. Lymph nodes (programmed cell death)
ii. Spleen
iii. Lymphatic nodules (follicles) THE INNER MEDULA
i. Consists of more;
a. Mature T cells
THYMUS b. Epithelial cells
c. Dendritic cells
d. Macrophage

ii. Epithelial cells

- Arranged into concentric layers.
- Filled with keratohyalin granules and keratin
(Thymic corpuscles of Hassall)

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 13 | LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
LYMPH NODES SPLEEN
- Masses of tissue enclosed in capsules. - Largest single mass of Lymphatic tissue in the
- Provide filtration mechanism of lymphatic fluid Body
before entering the blood stream. - Located in the upper portion of the abdominal
cavity, inferior to the diaphragm on the left side.
2 Types of Cells
a. T-lymphocytes Convex at:
b. B-lymphocytes - Diaphragm
Concave at:
Regions of Lymph Nodes - Left kidney
a. Superficial Cortex - Stomach
i. Outer cortex - Large Intestine
ii. Inner cortex
HILUM
b. Deep Medulla - Area where large blood vessels enter and leave the
Spleen.
Outer Cortex - Blood enters spleen via the Splenic Artery.
- Aggregates of B cells called Lymphatic Nodules
(follicles) Functions
1. Primary Lymphatic Nodule a. Reservoir of lymphocytes for the body
- Consist of chiefly B cells b. Filters blood
c. RBC and Iron metabolism
2. Secondary Lymphatic Nodule d. Storage depot for blood
- Forms in response to an Antigen e. For Immune Response
- Sites of plasma cells and memory B cell formation
- Compose most lymphatic nodules in the outer PARENCHYMA
cortex. a. White Pulp
- Lymphatic tissue
3. Germinal Center - Consisting mostly of lymphocytes and
- Contains B cells, follicular dendritic cells, and macrophages arranged around branches of the
macrophages. splenic artery called central arteries.

Inner Cortex b. Red Pulp

- Consists mainly of T cells and Dendritic cells. Splenic Cords (Billroth’s cords) -Blood-filled venous
Dendritic cells: presents antigens to T cells, causing sinuses and cords of splenic tissue.
T cell proliferation.
T cells: migrate from the lymph node to areas of Functions (in relation to blood)
the body where there is antigenic activity. 1. Removal of Macrophages
2. Storage o Platelets
Medulla of a Lymph Node 3. Hematopoiesis
- Contains B cells, antibody producing plasma cells
and macrophages.

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 13 | LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
LYMPHATIC NODULES d. Inflammation
- Egg-shaped masses of Lymphatic tissue that are e. Fever
NOT surrounded by a capsule.
- MALT: Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue B. ADAPTIVE
- Multiple large aggregations in specific parts of the - The ability of the body to defend itself against
body specific invading agents such as bacteria, toxins,
a. Tonsils in the Pharyngeal region viruses, and foreign tissues.
b. Lymphatic follicles in the Ileum (Peyer’s
patches) Properties
c. Appendix i. Specificity
- For particularly foreign molecules (antigens) and
TONSILS distinguishing self from non-self-molecules
- Aggregates of lymph nodes of oral and pharyngeal
cavities ii. Memory
- Participate in immune responses against inhaled - For most previously encountered antigens.
or ingested foreign substances.
First Line of Defense: Skin and Mucus Membranes
1. Palatine Tonsils – surface of the Palatine bone - Provide both physical and chemical barrier.
2. Pharyngeal Tonsils – (adenoids); roof of • Lysozyme – Enzyme capable of breaking down
pharynx the cell walls of certain bacteria.
3. Lingual Tonsils – Tongue 1. Tears
2. Saliva
3. Perspiration
4. Nasal secretions
5. Tissue fluids

Second Line of Defense: Internal Defenses

1. Antimicrobial substances
a. Interferons (IFNs)
- Produced by lymphocytes, macrophages and
fibroblasts infected with viruses.

IMMUNOLOGY b. Complement System

- Branch of Science that deals with the responses of - Made up of a group of normally inactive proteins in
the body when challenged by antigens. blood plasma and plasma membranes.
- Enhance certain immune reactions: causing
TYPES (cytolysis) or bursting of microbes.
A. INNATE
- Non-specific immunity c. Iron Bending Protein
- Includes the external physical and chemical - Inhibit the growth of certain bacteria by reducing
barriers (skin and mucous membranes) the amount of available iron.
- Includes various intestinal defenses. i. Transferrin – found in blood and tissue.
a. Antimicrobial substances ii. Lactoferrin – milk, saliva, and mucus
b. Natural killer cells iii. Ferritin – liver, spleen, and RBM
c. Phagocytes iv. Hemoglobin – found in RBCs.

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 13 | LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
d. Antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) 3 Basic Stages
- Short peptides that have a broad spectrum of a. Vasodilation and increase permeability of
antimicrobial activity. blood vessels.
i. Dermcidin – produced by sweat glands. - Histamine, kinins, prostaglandins, leukotrienes
ii. Defensins & Cathelicidins – produced by
neutrophils, macrophages, and epithelia. b. Emigration
iii. Thrombocidin – produced by platelets. - Movement of phagocytes from the blood to
interstitial fluid.
2. Natural killer cells and Phagocytes
a. Natural killer cells c. Tissue repair.
- Can kill a wide variety of infected body cells and
certain tumor cells. 4. Fever
- Attack any body cells that display abnormal or - Abnormally high body temperature because of
unusual plasma membrane proteins. hypothalamic thermostat reset.
i. Perforin – creates channels in the - Commonly occurs during infection and
membrane causing cytolysis. inflammation.
ii. Granzymes – induce the target cell to a. Bacterial toxins
undergo apoptosis. b. Release of fever-releasing cytokines

b. Phagocytes Effects
- “Ingests” microbes or other particles such as - Intensifies the effect of interferons.
cellular debris. - Inhibits the growth of some microbes.
i. Neutrophils and Macrophages - Speeds up body reactions and aid repair.
- They develop into phagocytic macrophages called
wandering macrophages. ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
rd
- 3 Month after conception; stem/pluripotent cells
ii. Fixed macrophages in red bone marrow undergo differentiation for
- Histiocytes – connective tissue formation lymphopoietic cells.
- Langerhans cells – Skin
- Stellate reticuloendothelial cells – liver Maturation process
- Alveolar macrophage – lungs 1. Thymus – T cells
- Microglial macrophage – nervous system - Later migrate to lymphoid tissues
- Tissue macrophages – spleen, lymph nodes & RBM.
2. Bone marrow
3. Inflammation - Liver, lymph node of GIT; B-lymphocytes or B-cells
- Nonspecific, defensive response of the body to - B-cells synthesize antibodies.
tissue damage.
- 6 months after birth; immune system becomes
- Characteristic signs and symptoms functional.
i. Redness
ii. Heat
iii. Swelling
iv. Pain
v. Loss of function

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 13 | LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
TYPES OF ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
1. Cell-mediated immunity
- Cells attacking cells.
- Directly attack invading antigens
- Effective against

a. Intracellular pathogens
b. Some cancer cells.
c. Foreign tissue transplants.

2. Antibody-mediated immunity
- Humoral immunity
- B cells turn into Plasma cells which secretes into
antibodies and immunoglobulins.
- Works mainly against extracellular pathogens

Antigen receptors
- Capable of recognizing specific antigens

Antigen
- Large substances (protein and polysaccharide)
that stimulate the immune system.

TYPES OF IMMUNITY

2 Broad categories
1. Active immunity
- Results when exposure to a disease organism
triggers the immune system to produce antibodies
to that disease.

2. Passive immunity
- Provided when a person is given antibodies to a
disease rather than producing them through his or
her own immune system.

1. Artificially acquired.
- Any immunization with an antigen.

2. Naturally acquired.
- Acquired from exposure to the disease organism
through infection with the actual disease.

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F