LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

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The Lymphatic and Immune Systems

• Main structures of the lymphatic system

• Lymphatic vessels
• Main components of the immune system
• Lymphocytes, lymphoid tissue, and lymphoid
organs

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Parts of lymphatic system

• Lymphatic vessels
• Lymphatic organs and tissues

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The Lymphatic System

• Lymphatic vessels
collect lymph from
tissues of body
• Carry fluid to great
veins in the neck
• Fluid flows only
toward the heart
• Lymph is clearless
fluid(blood –red
blood cells)
Figure 20.1
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Parts of Lymphatic Vessels

• Lymph capillaries – smallest – first receive lymph

• Afferent Lymphatic vessels – collect from lymph
capillaries
• Lymph nodes – scattered along collecting vessels
• Efferent Lymph vessels–collect from lymph nodes
• Lymph trunks – collect lymph from collecting vessels
• Lymph ducts – empty into veins of the neck

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Functions of Lymphatic Vessels

• Collect excess tissue fluid and blood proteins

• Return tissue fluid and blood proteins to
bloodstream

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Location and Structure of Lymph Capillaries

Figure 20.2a, b
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Lymphatic Collecting Vessels

• Accompany blood vessels

• Contain more valves

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Lymph Nodes

• Clean the lymph from pathogens

• Human body contains approximately 500
• Lymph nodes are organized in clusters

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Lymph Nodes

Figure 20.3
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Microscopic Anatomy of a Lymph Node

Figure 20.4a
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The Lymphatic Trunks

Figure 20.5a
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Lymphoid Tissue

1. Mucous membranes= of Digestive, urinary,

respiratory, and reproductive tracts
2. Lymphoid organs

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Lymphoid Organs

• Spleen
• Tonsil
• Thymus

Figure 20.8
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Spleen

• Largest lymphoid organ

• Found in abdomen
• functions
• Removal and destruction of old/defective blood
cells
• Site of hematopoiesis in the fetus

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Spleen

Figure 20.9a, b
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Thymus

• Found behind the sternum

• Site for maturation T lymphocytes
• Most active in childhood

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Tonsils

• Simplest lymphoid organs

• Found in beginning of digestive and respiratory
systems

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The Immune System

• Recognizes specific foreign molecules

• Destroys pathogens effectively
• Key cells – lymphocytes
• Also includes lymphoid tissue and lymphoid
organs

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Lymphocyte

• Lymphocytes originate in bone marrow

• Some travel to the thymus gland
• T lymphocytes
• Some stay in bone marrow
• B lymphocytes
• Able to recognize a unique antigen

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings