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MICROBIOLOGY – ALCAMO. LECTURE: Immune System, Lymph Node Introduction. The Lymphatic System. The Lymphatic system defends the body from foreign invasion by disease causing agents such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The Lymphatic System.
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MICROBIOLOGY – ALCAMO LECTURE: Immune System, Lymph Node Introduction
The Lymphatic System • The Lymphatic system defends the body from foreign invasion by disease causing agents such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi
The Lymphatic System • Part of the immune system made of a network of lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph in one direction - toward the heart • Also includes structures dedicated to the circulation and production of lymphocytes (spleen, thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes, tonsils, etc)
The Lymphatic System • Blood does not directly come in contact with the cells and tissues in the body • Parts of the blood first exit the blood vessels to become interstitial fluid, which comes into contact with the cells of the body. • Lymph is formed when interstitial fluid enters the initial lymphatic vessels
The Lymphatic System • Collects and returns interstitial fluid, including plasma protein to the blood, and thus helps maintain fluid balance • Defends the body against disease by producing lymphocytes • Absorbs lipids from the intestine and transport them to the blood
Lymph Node • Small ball-shaped organs distributed widely throughout the body including the armpit and stomach/gut and linked by lymphatic vessels • Lymph nodes are found all through the body, and act as filters or traps for foreign particles • They are important in the proper functioning of the immune system
Lymph Node Structure • Pericapsular Connective Tissue and Fat Tissue which clings to outside of node, holds node in place, cushions it, ready supply of blood for energy B. Capsule • Dense outer covering which surrounds node • Trabeculae – inner branches of capsule
C. The Substance of the lymph node is divided into: • outer cortex • inner medulla • D. Germinal Centers • Dense, darkly stained round areas just inside the capsule where certain WBCs are produced
Vessels • Multiple afferent lymph vessels bring lymph into the lymph node • The lymph gets slowly filtered through the substance of the lymph node where it encounters lymphocytes • The efferent lymph vessel carries the lymph out of the lymph node
Vessels • Artery • Carries oxygenated blood from heart to node • Has a thick wall and quite small inside diameter • May contain visible blood cells
Vessels • Vein • Carries used blood from node to heart • Has a thinner wall and larger inside diameter than the artery • May contain visible blood cells
Vessels • Lymph • Has almost no wall • Has a very large inside diameter • Never contains visible blood cells
Maintain the pressure and volume of extracellular fluid by returning excess water and dissolved substances from the interstitial fluid to the circulation