The Lymphatic SystemThe Lymphatic System

• Aims:

• Must be able to outline the main structure that make up the Lymphatic system.

• Should be able to outline the roles of the lymphatic system.

• Could be able to describe clearly the role of the lymphatic system in immunity.

The Lymphatic The Lymphatic SystemSystem

• The lymphatic system is a network of vessels.

• Drains lymph fluid from the tissues back into the circulatory system.

• Major part of the immune system

• One of the body’s defenses against infection and cancer.

Spleen

Lymph nodes

Lymphatic vessels

Thymus gland

Tonsils and adenoids

Thoracic duct

Bone marrow

Lymph and the Immune SystemLymph and the Immune System• Apart from its circulatory role, the

lymphatic system has an important function in the immune response.

• Mixed up with the lymph are pathogens and other foreign substances that must be destroyed.

• Lymph nodes are the primary sites where this occurs.

• A lymph node that is actively fighting an infection becomes swollen and hard as the lymph cells reproduce rapidly to increase their numbers.

Lymph NodesLymph Nodes

As lymph passes through the nodes, it filters foreign particles (including pathogens) by trapping them in fibers.

Valves

Once trapped, macrophages destroy the foreign substances by phagocytosis. T cells may destroy them or B cells may release antibodies directly to destroy them.

Blood vessels

Lymph nodes are oval or bean-shaped structures, scattered throughout the body, usually in groups, along the length of lymphatic vessels.

Incoming lymph fluid

Outgoing lymphatic fluid. Lymph nodes also produce lymphocytes (T cells and B cells), which may circulate to other parts of the body

• Fluid leaks from capillaries, mostly as a result of blood pressure - forms the tissue fluid.

• Tissue fluid is similar in composition to plasma but lacks large proteins.

• Tissue fluid bathes tissues, supplying nutrients and oxygen, removing wastes.

• Some tissue fluid returns directly into the capillaries, some drains back into the blood through a network of lymph vessels.

• This fluid, called lymph, is similar in composition to tissue fluid, but contains more leucocytes.

Lymph FluidLymph Fluid

Lymphatics: Upper BodyLymphatics: Upper Body

The Upper Body

Tonsils

Tonsils (and adenoids) comprise a collection of large lymphatic nodules at the back of the throat.

They produce lymphocytes and are well-placed to protect against invasion of pathogens.

Spleen

The role of the spleen is to store and release blood in case of demand (e.g. in cases of bleeding).

The spleen also produces mature B-cells.

Thoracic duct

The thoracic duct is the main collecting duct of the lymphatic system.

Lymph reenters the general circulation via the subclavian veins near the heart.

Thymus gland

The thymus is a two-lobed organ located close to the heart.

Its role is to help produce the T cells that destroy invading microbes.

Lymphatics: Lower BodyLymphatics: Lower Body

The Lower Body

Lymphatic vessels

When tissue fluid enters the lymph capillaries, it is called lymph.

The lymph passes along lymphatic vessels to a series of lymph nodes.

These vessels contain one-way valves that move the lymph towards the heart and reintroduce it into the blood circulatory system via the subclavian veins.

Bone marrowBone marrow produces red blood cells and leukocytes (white blood cells). Leukocytes differentiate into:

• monocytes (and macrophages)

• neutrophils

• eosinophils

• basophils

• lymphocytes (B cells and T cells)

ActivityActivity

• Answer the questions on page 153 in the Biozone book.