Lymphatic and

Immune system
2018/2019
Components of the
lymphatic system
Lymphatic Functions
• Production, maintenance, and distribution of lymphocytes that
provide defense against infections (pathogenes), abnormal body cells,
and foreign proteins
• These protective cells are found throughout the bloodstreams, in lymphatic
organs, and they can also migrate into tissues
• This system is also known as the “lymphoid system”” or immune
system”
Lymph Net work

Structure
• Lymph
• Lymphatic vessels
• Lymph nodes
• Lymphoid organs
• Lymphocytes
• Nonspecific defense
• Specific defense
Lymphatic pathways:

•Lymphatic capillaries:
•Closed-ended microscopic tubes
•Extend into interstitial spaces
•Networks are parallel to networks of blood capillaries
•Walls of lymphatic capillaries are similar to those of
blood capillaries
•Single layer of squamous epithelial cells
(endothelium)
Lymphatic Capilarries
•Very thin so allow tissue/interstitial fluid to
enter the lymphatic capillaries
•Fluid inside the lymphatic capillaries is called
lymph
•More permeable than blood capillaries so can
absorb large molecules like proteins and lipids
 Lymphatic vessels

• Walls of lymphatic vessels are similar to those of veins but thinner

• The wall is made up of 3 layers: inner endothelial lining, middle
layer of smooth muscle and elastic fibres, outer layer of
connective tissue
• Lymphatic vessels have semilunar valves: prevent backflow of
lymph
• The large lymphatic vessels lead to lymph nodes
• After leaving lymph nodes lymphatic vessels merge to form
lymphatic trunks
LYMPHATIC TRUNKS

•Drain lymph from lymphatic vessels

•They are named according to the area
which they drain
• Lumbar trunk: drains lymph from the
lower limbs, lower abdominal wall and
pelvic organs
 LYMPHATIC TRUNKS
• Intestinal trunk: drains the abdominal viscera

• Intercostal trunk: drains parts of the thorax

• Bronchomediastinal trunk: drains parts of the thorax
• Subclavian trunk: drains the upper limb
• Jugular trunk: drains the head and neck
Collecting ducts

• There are 2 collecting ducts:

• Thoracic duct
• Right lymphatic duct
• Lymphatic trunks drain into one of the 2
collecting ducts
 THORACIC DUCT

• Drains lymph from the:

• Intestinal trunk
• Lumbar trunk
• Intercostal trunk
• Left subclavian trunk
• Left jugular trunk
• Left bronchomediastinal trunk
 THORACIC DUCT
• The Thoracic Duct:
• Originates in the abdomen
• Goes upwards through the diaphragm next to the
aorta
• Ascends anterior to the vertebral column through the
mediastinum
• Empties into the left subclavian vein
RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT

Drains lymph from the:

• Right jugular trunk
• Right subclavian trunk
• Right bronchomediastinal trunk
• The right lymphatic duct:
• Originates in the right thorax
• Empties into the right subclavian vein
Cisterna chyli

• Large lymph sac that receives lymph drainage

from the digestive organs
Formation of lymph

• Capillary blood pressure filters water and small

molecules from plasma
• Filtration from the plasma normally exceeds
reabsorption therefore tissue fluid is formed
• Tissue fluid hydrostatic pressure increases and
this forces tissue fluid into lymphatic capillaries
• Lymph formation prevents edema
Functions of the lymphatic
system
 Functions of the lymphatic system
• Fluid balance: Drains excess interstitial fluid from tissue
spaces and returns it to the bloodstream
• Lymph returns small proteins filtered out by blood
capillaries to the blood stream
• Lipid absorption: Transports lipids and lipid soluble vitamins
(a,d,e,k) absorbed by the GI tract via lacteals (specialised
lymphatic capillaries)
• Defense: Defend the body against infection by
pathogens. Lymph transports foreign particles to lymph
nodes
Location of lymph nodes

• Cervical
• Axillary
• Supratrochlea
• Inguinal
• Pelvic cavity
• Abdominal cavity
• Thoracic cavity
 Function of Lymph nodes:

• Filtering potentially harmful particles from the lymph

fluid before it returns to the bloodstream
• Produce lymphocytes: white blood cells that destroy
viruses, bacteria, parasitic cells
• Contain macrophages: engulf and destroy foreign
substances, damaged cells, cellular debris
 SPLEEN

• Upper left portion of abdominal cavity, inferior to diaphragm,

posterior and lateral to stomach
• The spleen is like a large lymph node
• Filters blood and acts as a blood reservoir
• Houses macrophages that engulf and destroy foreign particles
e.g bacteria
• Macrophages also remove debris from rbcs
• Contains lymphocytes that defend the body against infections
THYMUS

• Located in the mediastinum posterior to upper

part of sternum
• Houses lymphocytes derived from bone marrow
as inactive thymocytes
• Some thymocytes mature into T lymphocytes/T
cells which leave the thymus and provide
immunity
Immunity
•Definition

•Resistance to disease

•The ability of the body to resist many agents that

can cause disease particularly invading
pathogens, foreign proteins and poisons
Immunity
• Antigen: a substance capable of eliciting an
immune response
• It may be a protein, polysaccharide, glycoprotein
or glycolipid
• The lymphatic system responds to non-self
antigens but not normally to self antigens
Antibody/immunoglobulin molecule:

Soluble, globular proteins

• Made up of four chains of amino acids linked by
pairs of sulphur atoms
• Antibodies have specialised parts that are
capable of binding with an antigen (antigen-
binding site)
INNATE IMMUNITY
• Inborn/natural/genetic
• Mediated by cells and chemicals
• 1. Natural killer cells:
• Lymphocytes that defend the body against certain
viruses and cancer cells by secreting cytolytic
substances called perforins (break down the
membranes of infected cells)
• Also secrete chemicals that promote inflammation
INNATE IMMUNITY
• 2. Basophils:
Granular white blood cells that release histamine and other mediators of
inflammation
• 3. Mast cells:
• Immune cells found in connective tissue that release histamine (involved in
allergic reactions)
• 4. Phagocytes
• Neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages engulf and destroy foreign particles
and cells
• 5. Langerhans cells
• Phagocytic immune cells of the epidermis
 CHEMICAL DEFENCES
Interferons:
• Hormone like peptides produced by lymphocytes and
fibroblasts in response to viruses or tumor cells
• Block the replication of a variety of viruses
• Stimulate phagocytosis
Complement:
• Group of proteins found in plasma and other body fluids
• Activation stimulates inflammation, attracts phagocytes
and enhances phagocytosis
 CHEMICAL DEFENCES
• 3. Inflammation:
• Reaction that produces localised redness, swelling, heat
and pain
• White blood cells accumulate at the site of
inflammation
• 4. Fever:
• Counters microbial growth because the higher temp.
makes the liver and spleen retain iron which is required
by bacteria and fungi for growth and reproduction
ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
• Resistance to specific pathogens, their toxins or their
metabolic by-products
• Immune response is based upon the ability of the body
to distinguish between “self” and “non-self” molecules
• Non-self molecules are antigens
• Lymphocytes and macrophages recognise antigens
and carry out adaptive immune responses
 Cell Mediated Immunity:
• Immune response that does not involve antibodies
but involves the activation of phagocytes, antigen-
specific cytotoxic t-lymphocytes and the release of
cytokines in response to an antigen
• T cells originate in the bone marrow and are
differentiated in the thymus
• t cells interact directly with the antigen or antigen-
bearing agents to destroy them
Antibody mediated/Humoral immunity:

• The form of acquired immunity in which

antibody molecules (immunoglobulins) are
secreted in response to antigenic stimulation
• Antibodies are produced by b-cells
• B-cells are produced and differentiated in the
red bone marrow
• Antibodies react to antigens in one of three
ways:
• Directly attack the antigen
• Activate complement
• Stimulate localised inflammation to help prevent
spread of the pathogen
 FLORA

• Human microbiota: collection of micro-organisms

found on the surface and in deep layers of skin,
saliva and oral mucosa, conjunctiva and GI tract
• Includes bacteria and fungi
• Micro-organisms that are expected to be present
under normal conditions and do not cause disease
are termed normal flora
•Benefits of normal gut flora:
•aid in digestion
•synthesis of vitamins
•Synthesis of enzymes that the body
does not produce
•preventing growth of harmful species
•producing hormones that promote
storage of fat
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
•Bacterial diarrhea
•Hepatitis A
•Malaria
•Bilharzia
•Meningitis
•Rabies
•HIV