Lymphatic and Immune Systems Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the Lymphatic and Immune Systems.

Lymph

Fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic vessels

Transport lymph away from tissues to veins.

Lymphatic tissue

Contains lymphocytes and immune cells.

Lymphatic nodules

Small aggregates of lymphatic tissue.

Lymph nodes

Filter lymph and house immune cells.

Lymphoid organs

Organs like tonsils, spleen, thymus with lymphatic tissue.

Fluid balance

Maintains homeostasis by managing interstitial fluid.

Lipid absorption

Absorbs fats via lacteals from digestive tract.

Chyle

Lymph fluid containing absorbed fats.

Defense

Filters microorganisms from lymph and blood.

Lymphatic capillaries

Collect lymph from peripheral tissues.

Lymphatic trunks

Larger vessels draining specific body areas.

Lymphatic ducts

Transport lymph to major veins.

Right lymphatic trunk

Drains right side of head and upper limb.

Thoracic duct

Drains remainder of the body.

Primary lymphatic organs

Thymus and red bone marrow for lymphocyte maturation.

Secondary lymphatic organs

Sites for immune response interactions.

MALT

Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue in mucous membranes.

Lymphatic vessel contraction

Smooth muscle contractions move lymph unidirectionally.

Skeletal muscle contraction

Surrounding muscles compress vessels to aid lymph flow.

Thoracic pressure changes

Pressure variations help move lymph toward heart.

Reticular cells

Produce collagen fibers in lymphatic tissue.

Mucosal surfaces

Initiate immune responses to specific antigens.

Diffuse lymphatic tissue

Dispersed lymphocytes and macrophages blending with tissues.

Lymphatic nodules

Denser aggregations in connective tissues.

Peyer patches

Lymphatic nodules in the digestive system.

MALT

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in various systems.

Lymphatic follicles

Lymphatic nodules in lymph nodes and spleen.

Tonsils

Lymphatic nodules in nasopharynx and oral cavity.

Palatine tonsils

Commonly known as the 'tonsils'.

Pharyngeal tonsils

Also called 'adenoids' located in the nasopharynx.

Lingual tonsils

Tonsils located at the base of the tongue.

Lymph nodes

Filter lymph; small, bean-shaped structures.

Cortex of lymph nodes

Outer region with dense connective tissue.

Medulla of lymph nodes

Inner region containing lymphatic tissue.

Afferent lymphatic vessels

Bring lymph to lymph nodes.

Efferent lymphatic vessels

Carry filtered lymph away from nodes.

Spleen

Encapsulated lymphatic tissue in the abdomen.

White pulp

Lymphatic tissue associated with arteries in spleen.

Red pulp

Contains macrophages and red blood cells.

Thymus

Bilobed gland for T cell maturation.

Thymosin

Hormone secreted for T cell development.

Innate immunity

Natural, non-specific defense system present from birth.

Adaptive immunity

Specific immunity developed after antigen exposure.

Physical barriers

First line of defense against pathogens.

Acid Mantle

Skin and secretions that inhibit microbial growth.

Chemical Mediators

Substances that enhance phagocytosis and inflammation.

Phagocytosis

Process where cells engulf and digest pathogens.

First Line of Defense

Physical and chemical barriers present at birth.

Innate Immunity

Nonspecific defense mechanisms present from birth.

Adaptive Immunity

Specific defense involving T and B lymphocytes.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that trap and expel pathogens.

Histamine

Chemical that causes vasodilation during inflammation.

Interferons

Proteins that protect against viral infections.

Complement Cascade

Series of proteins that enhance immune response.

Classical Pathway

Antigen-antibody complex activates complement proteins.

Alternative Pathway

C3 activation occurs spontaneously, part of innate immunity.

Membrane Attack Complex

Complex that lyses microbial cell membranes.

Opsonization

Coating of pathogens to enhance phagocytosis.

Chemotaxis

Attraction of immune cells to infection sites.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in immune response.

Neutrophils

First responders to microbial infection.

Macrophages

Large phagocytic cells that engulf pathogens.

Basophils

Release histamine during allergic responses.

Mast Cells

Release mediators like histamine in tissues.

Eosinophils

Combat parasitic infections and allergic reactions.

Natural Killer Cells

Destroy infected or cancerous cells.

White Blood Cells (Leucocytes)

Crucial immune cells that identify and destroy infections.

Chemotaxis

Movement of WBCs toward chemical signals from pathogens.

Phagocytosis

Endocytosis and destruction of pathogens by phagocytes.

Pathogen Recognition Receptors (PRRs)

Receptors on WBCs that detect pathogen-associated patterns.

Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs)

Molecules shared by various microorganisms recognized by PRRs.

Neutrophils

First responders to infection; short-lived phagocytic cells.

Inflammatory Response

Local reaction to tissue injury, involving chemical mediators.

Macrophages

Large phagocytic cells that ingest larger particles.

Monocytes

Blood cells that differentiate into macrophages in tissues.

Basophils

Motile cells that release histamine to promote inflammation.

Mast Cells

Non-motile cells in connective tissue that release histamine.

Eosinophils

Cells that reduce inflammation and kill certain parasites.

Natural Killer Cells

Lymphocytes that destroy tumor and virus-infected cells.

Local Inflammation

Confined inflammation with redness, heat, swelling, pain.

Systemic Inflammation

Widespread inflammation affecting multiple body areas.

Fibrinogen

Protein converted to fibrin to wall off infections.

Pyrogens

Substances that induce fever to enhance immune response.

Immunity

Ability to resist damage from foreign substances.

Specificity

Ability to recognize specific foreign substances.

Memory

Capacity to remember past encounters with pathogens.

Foreign Antigen

Substance recognized as non-self by the immune system.

Self-Antigen

Body's own molecules recognized as self by the immune system.

Foreign Antigen

Not produced by the body; from external sources.

Self-Antigen

Produced by the body; differentiates self from non-self.

Epitopes

Specific regions on antigens recognized by lymphocytes.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

Responds to intracellular antigens via T-lymphocytes.

Antibody-Mediated Immunity

Responds to extracellular antigens via B-lymphocytes.

Cytotoxic T Cells

Destroy infected cells in cell-mediated immunity.

Helper T Cells

Promote antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Regulatory T Cells

Inhibit immune responses to maintain balance.

Lymphocyte Origin

B and T cells originate in red bone marrow.

Primary Lymphatic Organs

Where lymphocytes mature: bone marrow and thymus.

Secondary Lymphatic Organs

Sites for lymphocyte interaction and immune response.