Anatomy & Physiology II Lymphatic and immune system

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to the lymphatic and immune systems, essential for understanding anatomy and physiology in preparation for the exam.

Lymphatic System

A network of vessels and organs that help maintain fluid balance, transport dietary lipids, and provide immune responses.

Lymphatic Capillaries

Blind-ended tubes that collect lymph from tissues, characterized by overlapping endothelial cells that form minivalves.

Lymph Nodes

Swelling along lymphatic vessels that filter lymph and house immune cells like lymphocytes.

Lymph Transport

Low-pressure system aided by skeletal muscle action, thoracic pressure changes, valves, and arterial pulsations.

T Cells

Lymphocytes that manage immune responses and directly attack infected or cancerous cells.

B Cells

Lymphocytes that produce plasma cells, which secrete antibodies targeting specific antigens.

Antigens

Substances that provoke an immune response and are recognized by B and T cells.

Phagocytes

White blood cells that engulf and digest pathogens and foreign particles.

Macrophages

Robust phagocytic cells that develop from monocytes, acting as the primary responders to infection.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

Large granular lymphocytes that can kill virus-infected and tumor cells without prior sensitization.

Innate Immunity

The body's first line of defense against pathogens, including barriers like skin and mucous membranes.

Adaptive Immunity

Specific immunity that involves the activation of lymphocytes and has memory of past infections.

Humoral Immunity

A branch of adaptive immunity where antibodies produced by B cells target extracellular pathogens.

Cellular Immunity

A branch of adaptive immunity involving T cells that attack infected cells directly.

Memory Cells

Long-lived B and T cells that provide quicker responses upon re-exposure to an antigen.

Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)

Collection of lymphoid tissues associated with mucous membranes, providing defense against pathogens.

Thymus

Primary lymphoid organ where T cells mature and gain the ability to recognize specific antigens.

Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)

Cells that process and present antigens to T cells, facilitating the adaptive immune response.

Inflammation

A localized tissue response characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain, signaling immune activation.

Cytokines

Signaling molecules released by immune cells that modulate immune responses and inflammation.

Phagocytosis

The process by which phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens.

Inflammatory Mediators

Chemical signals such as histamine that promote inflammation and attract immune cells to the site of injury.

Complement System

A group of proteins that enhance the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens.

Lymphocyte Activation

The process by which lymphocytes recognize and respond to specific antigens.

Opsonization

The process by which pathogens are marked for destruction by phagocytes through antibody or complement coating.

Histamine

A chemical released during inflammation that causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.

Plasma Cells

Activated B cells that produce and secrete antibodies.

Ig Classes

Different types of immunoglobulins (antibodies) classified based on their structure and function.

Cytotoxic T Cells

T cells that directly kill infected or cancerous cells.

Regulatory T Cells

Type of T cell that helps prevent autoimmune responses by maintaining tolerance to self-antigens.

Vaccination

Administration of weakened or inactive pathogens to stimulate adaptive immunity without causing disease.

Immunoglobulins

Another name for antibodies; proteins that specifically bind to antigens.

Interferons

Proteins released by infected cells that help protect neighboring cells from viral infection.

Macrophage Activation

Process that enhances the capability of macrophages to eliminate pathogens through 'respiratory burst'.

Dendritic Cells

APCs that capture antigens and present them to T cells, crucial for initiating adaptive responses.

Efferent Lymphatic Vessels

Vessels that carry lymph away from lymph nodes after filtering.

Afferent Lymphatic Vessels

Vessels that carry lymph to lymph nodes for filtering.

Peyer’s Patches

Aggregated lymphoid nodules in the intestine that play a role in immune function.

Antigenic Determinants

Specific regions on antigens recognized by lymphocytes.

Spleen

Largest lymphoid organ that filters blood and mounts immune responses.

Cortex of Lymph Node

Outer region of a lymph node that contains B cells.

Medulla of Lymph Node

Inner region of a lymph node, containing T cells and macrophages.

Lymphatic Ducts

Large lymphatic vessels that return lymph to the bloodstream.

Cisterna Chyli

A dilated sac that collects lymph from the lower body before draining into the thoracic duct.

Right Lymphatic Duct

Duct that drains lymph from the right arm and right side of the head.

Thoracic Duct

Duct that drains lymph from the rest of the body.

Antibody-Antigen Complex

Structure formed when antibodies bind to their specific antigens.

Adhesion Molecules

Proteins on the surface of immune cells that assist in sticking to target cells.

Granulocytes

A type of white blood cell with granules in its cytoplasm, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Acid Mantle

Protective layer of acidity on skin surfaces that limits microbial growth.

Lysozyme

An enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls, found in various body fluids.

Defensins

Antimicrobial peptides that inhibit microbial growth.

Cytokine Storm

Severe immune response characterized by the release of excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Macrophage Corps

A collective term for the macrophages acting in an area of infection.

Chemotaxis

The movement of immune cells toward the site of infection in response to chemical signals.

Diapedesis

The process by which white blood cells squeeze through the walls of blood vessels to enter tissues.

Leukocytosis

Increase in the number of white blood cells in response to an infection.

Secondary Lymphoid Organs

Organs such as lymph nodes and the spleen where lymphocytes encounter antigens.

T-Cell Receptors

Molecules found on the surface of T cells that are specific to distinct antigens.

Class II MHC Proteins

Self-antigens presented on APCs to CD4+ T cells.

Thymic Corpuscles

Structures in the medulla of the thymus involved in T cell maturation.

Exudate

Fluid that leaks from blood vessels into surrounding tissues during inflammation.

Hemolysis

Destruction of red blood cells, often facilitated by antibodies.

Clonal Expansion

The process by which a lymphocyte proliferates in response to an antigen.

Memory B Cells

Long-lived B cells that remain in the body after an infection to provide future immunity.

Neutrophils

The most abundant type of white blood cell, vital for the early stages of immune response.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death; a mechanism for eliminating damaged or infected cells.

Fever

Systemic elevation of body temperature aiming to enhance immune function.

Granzyme

Serine proteases released by cytotoxic T cells and NK cells that induce apoptosis.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels that increases blood flow to a tissue.

Inflammatory Checkpoints

Mechanisms that regulate immune responses and prevent excessive inflammation.

Adaptive Immune Response

A response characterized by specificity and memory, enhancing recognition of pathogens.

Self-Tolerance

The ability of the immune system to recognize and not attack the body's own cells.

Synthetic Antigens

Artificially created antigens used in vaccines and research.

Vaccine

Substance that stimulates production of antibodies without causing the disease.

Hypersensitivity Reaction

An exaggerated immune response to a harmless antigen, leading to tissue damage.

Antibody Affinity

Strength of the binding between an antibody and its specific antigen.

TCR Diversity

Variation in T-cell receptors, allowing recognition of numerous antigens.

Spleen Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of the spleen's tissues.