Lymphatic and Immune Systems Flashcards

Functions of the Lymphatic System

Interstitial fluid: Plasma from arterial blood, delivers nutrients to cells, 90% returns to bloodstream.
Lymph: Clear fluid with electrolytes and proteins, protects the body, 10% of interstitial fluid.

Lymphatic Circulation: Lymph flows in one direction and is filtered by lymph nodes.
Lymphatic Capillaries: Microscopic, blind-ended tubes near the body surface; cells separate to allow lymph entry.
Lymphatic Vessels and Ducts:
- Lymphatic vessels prevent backward flow.
- Right lymphatic duct: Drains right side of head and neck, upper right quadrant, and right arm.
- Thoracic duct: Drains left side of head and neck, upper left quadrant, left arm, lower trunk, and both legs.
Lymph Nodes: Cervical, axillary, and inguinal nodes.
Lymphocytes (Lymphoid Cells):
- Leukocytes from bone marrow, defend against antigens.
- Natural killer cells (NK cells): Kill cancer and virus-infected cells.
- B cells (B lymphocytes): Produce antibodies, transform into plasma cells to destroy antigens.
- T cells (T lymphocytes): Central role in cell-mediated immunity.
- Cytokines: Proteins (e.g., interferons, interleukins) that act as intracellular signals.
- Interferons: Activate the immune system, fight viruses, and signal other cells.
- Interleukins: Direct B and T cells to divide and proliferate.

Tonsils: Lymphoid tissue around the nose and throat.
- Adenoids: In the nasopharynx.
- Palatine tonsils: Sides of the throat.
- Lingual tonsils: Base of the tongue.
Thymus Gland: Lymphoid tissue above the heart, matures lymphocytes into T cells.
Appendix: May play a role in the immune system.
Spleen: Filters blood, forms lymphocytes and monocytes, destroys old erythrocytes, stores extra erythrocytes.

Primary Function: Protects from harmful substances (pathogens, allergens, toxins, malignant cells).
First Line of Defense:
- Intact Skin: Physical barrier, acid mantle.
- Respiratory System: Traps foreign matter.
- Digestive System: Acids and enzymes destroy invaders.
- Lymphatic System: Destroys pathogens.
Antigen–Antibody Reaction: Binding of antigens to antibodies, labels dangerous antigens.
Tolerance: Unresponsiveness to specific antigen.
Antibodies: Disease-fighting proteins.
Phagocytes: Destroy substances via phagocytosis.
Monocytes: Become macrophages and dendritic cells.
Macrophages: Kill invading cells.
Dendritic cells: Alert B and T cells.
Complement System: Proteins that dissolve and remove pathogens.
Immunity:
- Natural immunity: Present without exposure.
- Acquired immunity: From having had the disease.
- Vaccination: Protection with periodic boosters.

Lymphadenitis: Inflammation of lymph nodes.
Lymphadenopathy: Disease affecting lymph nodes.
Lymphangioma: Benign tumor of lymphatic vessels.
Ruptured Spleen: Torn covering of the spleen.
Splenomegaly: Enlarged spleen.
Lymphoscintigraphy: Detects lymphatic vessel damage.
Lymphedema: Swelling due to lymph accumulation.
- Primary lymphedema: Hereditary, swelling starts in feet.
- Secondary lymphedema: Caused by damage to vessels.
Bioimpedance spectroscopy: Diagnoses lymphedema.

Immunotherapy (Biological therapy): Stimulates or represses immune response.
Antibody Therapy:
- Synthetic immunoglobulins.
- Synthetic interferon.
- Monoclonal antibodies.
HIV Treatment:
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Immunosuppression:
- Immunosuppressant: Prevents immune response.
- Corticosteroid drug: Synthetic hormone.
- Cytotoxic drug: Kills or damages cells.

Pathogen: Microorganism causing disease.
Bacteria: One-celled organisms.
- Examples: Bacilli, Anthrax, Rickettsia, Shigella, Streptococci.
Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Resistant to drugs.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Fungus and Yeast Infections:
- Fungus: Tinea pedis, Aspergillosis.
- Yeast: Candidiasis, Candida albicans, Vaginal candidiasis.
Parasites: Organisms living at the expense of others.
- Giardiasis, Malaria, Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis.
Viral Infections: Invade cells to reproduce.
- Examples: COVID-19, Ebola, Measles, Rabies, West Nile Virus.
Herpesviruses: Cause various diseases.
- Examples: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella (chickenpox), Herpes zoster (shingles), Infectious mononucleosis, Roseola.
Medications:
- Antibiotics: Inhibit bacterial growth.
- Bactericide: Kills bacteria.
- Bacteriostatic agent: Slows bacterial growth.
- Antifungal: Destroys fungi.
- Antiviral drug: Treats viral infections.

Tumors (Neoplasms):
- Benign tumor: Non-cancerous.
- Malignant tumor: Cancerous.
- Angiogenesis: Tumor creates blood supply.
- Antiangiogenesis: Disrupts blood supply.
Cancer: Uncontrolled cell division.
- Metastasize: Spread to other sites.
- Metastasis: Process of spreading.
Carcinomas: Malignant tumors in epithelial tissue.
- Carcinoma in situ: Has not invaded surrounding tissues.
- Adenocarcinoma: From glandular tissue.
Sarcomas: Malignant tumors in connective tissues.
- Hard-tissue sarcomas: Bone or cartilage.
- Soft-tissue sarcomas: Muscle, fat, etc.
Staging Tumors: Classifying tumors.
Lymphomas: Malignancies affecting lymphoid tissues.
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL).
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
Breast Cancer:
- Carcinoma developing from breast cells.
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
- Examples: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), Male breast cancer
Stages of Breast Cancer: Stage I, II, III, IV.
Detection: Mammography, Surgical biopsy, Lymph node dissection.
Treatment: Hormone therapy, Surgery (Lumpectomy, Mastectomy), Breast reconstruction.

Surgery: Removes malignancy.
Laser surgery: Destroys cancer cells with light.
Cryosurgery: Freezes cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy: Destroys malignant cells.
Chemoprevention: Reduces cancer risk.
Antineoplastic: Blocks growth of malignant cells.
Radiation Therapy: Destroys cancerous tissues.
- Brachytherapy: Radioactive materials implanted.
- Teletherapy: Radiation from a distance.
- Tomotherapy: Tomography with radiation.
Additional Therapies:
- Targeted therapy: Attacks specific cancer cells.
- Adjuvant therapy: Decreases chance of recurrence.
- Clinical trials: Testing new treatments.