Lymphatic and Immune System Lecture Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic and immune systems based on the Chapter 1-6 lecture transcript.

Right lymphatic duct

Drains lymph from the right head, neck, chest, and arm, emptying into the junction of the right subclavian and internal jugular vein.

Thoracic duct

Drains lymph from the left head, neck, chest, arm, and the entire lower body into the junction of the left subclavian and internal jugular vein.

Lymph node

Small organs found throughout the body that filter lymph, conduct immune surveillance, and mount immune responses.

Cervical region

The area of the neck where large accumulations of lymph nodes are located to drain the head and neck.

Axillary region

The area underneath the arms where big accumulations of lymph nodes are found.

Inguinal region

The area of the groin where large accumulations of lymph nodes are found to drain the legs.

Reticular connective tissue

The specific tissue type that makes up most lymphatic organs, with the exception of the thymus.

Reticular cells

Cells that secrete the reticular fibers and background material, also known as the stroma.

Stroma

The background material of lymphatic tissue secreted by reticular cells.

Macrophage

Known as the 'big eater,' it filters lymph by engulfing cell parts and pathogens, and acts as an antigen presenter cell.

Antigen presenter cell (APC)

A cell that displays a foreign antigen to T cells to trigger an immune response.

Antigen

A chemical signal, such as a glycoprotein on a bacteria, that triggers a response from the immune system.

B lymphocyte

A type of lymphocyte that becomes immunocompetent in the bone marrow and produces plasma cells and memory cells.

T lymphocyte

The 'boss' lymphocyte that becomes immunocompetent in the thymus and coordinates the immune response.

Immunocompetent

The state of a lymphocyte being able to attack a specific antigen while not attacking the body's own self-cells.

Clonal selection

The process of activating and cloning specific B lymphocytes that will attack a specific invading antigen.

Plasma cells

Activated B cells that function as antibody factories, pumping out Y-shaped antibodies.

Memory cells

T and B cells that keep a record of antigens to speed up the secondary immune response upon subsequent encounters.

Regulatory T cell

A T cell that turns down the immune response once the threat is gone to prevent the body from attacking itself.

Helper T cell

A T cell that activates other T and B cells and enhances other immune cells with extra weapons.

Cytotoxic T cell

A T cell capable of killing body cells infected by viruses or cancer.

Secondary immune response

The faster and more efficient immune reaction that occurs the next time a specific pathogen is encountered.

Primary lymphoid organs

The locations where lymphoid cells are formed and become immunocompetent, specifically the bone marrow and the thymus.

Afferent vessels

Lymphatic vessels that bring lymph toward a lymph node; there are typically five in each node.

Efferent vessels

Lymphatic vessels where lymph exits a lymph node; there are typically two to slow down flow for filtering.

Germinal center

The area in the lymphoid follicle of a lymph node where B cells clone themselves once activated.

Trabeculae

Connective tissue that separates the lymph node into different compartments.

Hilum

The narrow region of a lymph node at the exit point.

Red pulp

Also called splenic cords; the area in the spleen where macrophages recycle red blood cells and platelets.

White pulp

The area in the spleen containing T and B cells for immune surveillance and mounting immune responses.

MALT

Acronym for Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue; lymphoid follicles located beneath the epithelium of mucous membranes.

Tonsillar crypt

A blind-ended tunnel in the tonsils that acts as a trap to lure in and identify pathogens.

Lacteals

Specialized lymphoid capillaries in the small intestine designed to drain fatty interstitial fluid.

Thymus

An endocrine organ made of epithelial tissue where T lymphocytes become immunocompetent; it atrophies after puberty.

Thymic corpuscles

Also called Hassall's corpuscles; the specific location in the thymus where regulatory T cells become immunocompetent.