Lymphatic and Immune
System
Charles C. Cook, MD
A&P
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Objectives
 List the functions of the lymphatic system.
 Trace the pathway of lymph starting at the lymph
capillary.
 Describe the characteristics of lymph capillaries.
 Compare and contrast lymph vessels and veins.
 Describe the location and function of lymph nodes.
 Describe the location & function of lymphatic trunks.
 List the collecting ducts, their location, & the
individual areas of the body they drain.
2
Objectives
 Identify the cisterna chyli’s location and the areas
of the body from which it receives lymph.
 List the functions of lymph.
 List the characteristics of lymph.
 Describe the mechanism by which lymph is
propelled.
 Define edema and how it may accumulate after
cancer surgery.
3
Objectives
 List the anatomical features and functions of lymph
nodes.
 Describe the major locations of lymph nodes.
 List major lymph structures and their location.
 Thymus
 Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
 Palatine tonsils
 Lingual tonsils
 Spleen

Function
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Objectives
 Define the following terms.
 Immune system
 Pathogens
 Infection
 Immunity
 Nonspecific Immunity
 Specific Immunity
 Autoimmunity
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Functions of the Lymphatic
System
Circulates body fluid
Transports excess tissue fluid
Defends the body
Absorbs lipids
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Lymphatic Vessels
 Lymphatic capillaries
 Lymphatic vessels
 Lymph nodes
 Lymphatic trunks
 Collecting ducts
 Thoracic duct
 Right lymphatic duct
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Lymphatic Capillaries
ORIGINATE AS MICROSCOPIC
CLOSED END TUBES - IN SPACES
BETWEEN CELLS
More porous
Simple squamous epithelium
(endothelium)
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Lymphatic Vessels
FORMED FROM CAPS
SIMILAR to VEINS
VALVES gives beaded appearance
Follow veins
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Lymph Nodes
Structures located along the
lymphatic pathways.
They contain large numbers
of lymphocytes.
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Lymphatic Trunks
Collects lymph from the most
proximal group of each chain
of nodes
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Lymphatic Trunks
Lumbar
Intestinal
Bronchomediastinal
Subclavian
Jugular
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Collecting ducts
 Thoracic duct
 Right
lymphatic duct –
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Collecting Ducts
Thoracic Duct
Largest and l- o- n- g- e- r
Receives ¾ of body’s lymph
Drains into left subclavian vein
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Cisterna Chyli
Dilated portion of the
beginning of the thoracic
duct in the lumbar region
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Cisterna Chyli
receives lymph from
Lower abdomen
Pelvis, &
Lower limbs
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Collecting Ducts
Right Lymphatic Duct
Right thorax and empties
into the right subclavian vein
Drains Right side of head,
neck and right arm
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Lymph
Clear, watery fluid
Found inside lymphatic
vessel
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Function of Lymph
Transports various foreign
particles such as bacteria
and viruses
Returns protein back to
blood as well as excess tissue
fluids
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Movement of Lymph
Skeletal muscle
contraction
Pressure
Valves
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MILKING ACTION
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How can a massage
affect Lymph flow?
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Movement of Lymph
Contraction of
diaphragm
Pressure changes
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Edema
Accumulation
of fluid in
the tissue
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Can a patient develop
edema after an
amputation of an
extremity?
Can this be prevented?
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Structure of *LNs
Bean shaped
Vary in size
(usually about 1 in.)
Afferent----Entrance
Efferent----Exits at the Hilium
*LN denotes lymph nodes throughout
presentation
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Lymph Nodes
More afferent vessels than
efferent
covered by fibrous capsule
contain dense masses of
lymphocytes and macrophages
(nodules)
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LYMPH NODE
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MAJOR LOCATIONS OF
LYMPH NODES
CERVICAL REGION
AXILLARY REGION
INGUINAL REGION
PELVIC CAVITY
ABDOMINAL CAVITY
THORACIC CAVITY
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Functions of LNs
Produces lymphocytes
Filters interstitial
compartment
Contains macrophages
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Thymus
Located within the superior
mediastinum. Aprox. 40 gms
First source of lymphocytes
before birth
Development of T-Cells
Thymosin
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Tonsils
Protects mouth
Pharyngeal tonsil (Adenoid)
Palatine tonsils
Lingual tonsils
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Spleen
Largest Lymphatic organ
Filters blood not lymph
Production of B-Cells
Normal volume ---- 350 ml
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Spleen
Defense
Hematopoiesis
RBC and platelet
destruction
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Spleen
Location
Left hypochondriac region
Below diaphragm
Above left kidney
Behind fundus of stomach
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The Spleen
Why is the spleen considered a
lymphatic organ although it does not
filters lymph?
Have you ever experienced pain in your
side while you were running?
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Immunity Terms
 Immune system
 Pathogens
 Infection
 Immunity
 Nonspecific Immunity
 Specific Immunity
 Autoimmunity
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Immune system
Body’s defense against
disease
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Pathogens
Microorganism that
causes disease
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Infection
CAUSED BY THE DISEASE CAUSING AGENTS
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Immunity
THE BODY’S ABILITY TO
RESIST PATHOGENS
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Autoimmunity
Attack launched due to
failure to distinguish from self
and non-self substances
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Questions??
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Nonspecific Immunity
General Protection
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Species Resistant
Resistance of a disease of
one species compared to
another
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Mechanical Barriers
(Physical barriers)
st
1
Line of defense
Skin
Mucous membrane
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Chemical barriers
nd
2
Line of defense
Pepsin
Lysozyme
Vaginal secretions
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Interferon
Released by virusinfected cells to stop
division of malignant
cells
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Inflammation
 Is there anything good about inflammation?
 Required for healing
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Inflammation
(Nonspecific)
Due to damaged tissue
cells
Response to tissue
invasion
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Inflammation
Redness
Pain
Heat
Swelling
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Stages of Inflammation
1. Vasodilatation
2. Phagocyte migration
3. Repair
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Phagocytosis
Neutrophils
(Microphages)
Monocytes
(Macrophages)
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Specific Immunity
Specific Protection
Antigens
Inventory of self substances
Develop receptors for non-
self
Foreign proteins are
recognized
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Specific Immunity
Haptens
Smaller molecules that
combine with larger ones to
ignite an immune response
IE… Penicillin and lipid toxin in
poison ivy
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Specific Immunity
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Lymphocytes
Originates from stem cells
in red bone marrow
Immature T-cells
Immature B-cells
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All Lymphocytes
Accounts for 20-30 % of the
circulating WBC population

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Functions of Lymphocytes
T-Cells
Cell-mediated immunity
Secrete lymphotoxins - kills
antigen-bearing cells
Secrete lymphokines
(Cytokines) - stimulate the
immune activity of other cells
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T-Cells
Cell-mediated immunity
Attacks:
Parasites, fungi, and bacteria
Some cancer cells
Foreign tissue transplants
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Functions of Lymphocytes
B-Cells
Responsible for antibodymediated immunity
Mature in plasma cells
Plasma cells--- synthesize and
secrete antibodies
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B (bone marrow - derived) Cells
Accounts for 10-15 % of the
circulating lymphocytes
Can differentiate into Plasma
cells
 Plasma cells
Antibodies

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B-Cells
Antibody-mediated immunity
Attacks:
Antigens dissolved in body
fluids
Extracellular pathogens,
primarily bacteria
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Types of Antibodies
 Immunoglobin G (IgG) – occurs in
plasma and tissue fluid (Placenta)
 Immunoglobin A (IgA) – found in
secretions of exocrine glands (Breast
milk)
 Immunoglobin M (IgM) –
develops in blood plasma
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Actions of Antibodies
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Complement Activation
 Normally inactive
 Becomes active when antibody
combines w/ complement
 Actions: Inflammation, lysis, and
phagocytosis
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Precipitation – antigens become
insoluble
Lysis- ruptures membrane
Agglutination - Clumping of
antigens
Neutralization – covers toxic
portions
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Immune Responses
Primary immune
response
Response of B & T cells after 1st
exposure
Memory cells
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Immune Responses
Secondary immune
response
Reaction time is faster due
to memory cells
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Types
Of
Immunity
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NATURALLY ACQUIRED
ACTIVE IMMUNITY
NON-DELIBERATE
EXPOSURE TO A
PATHOGEN
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NATURALLY ACQUIRED
PASSIVE IMMUNITY
PASSAGE OF ANTIBODIES
FROM THE MOTHER TO
THE FETUS
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ARTIFICIALLY ACQUIRED
ACTIVE IMMUNITY
DELIBERATE INJECTION OF
PATHOGEN (Vaccination)
IE…FLU Shot
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ARTIFICIALLY ACQUIRED
PASSIVE IMMUNITY
INJECTION OF ANTIBODIES
Short Term
IE…Gamma Globulin / HEP A
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Chicken Pox
IE. IgA, G
IE. Flu Shot
Given the
antibody
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Types Of Allergic
Reactions
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ALLERGIC REACTION
EXAGGERATED IMMUNE
RESPONSE
(ALLERGEN)
Normally doesn’t occur
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Allergic Reactions
Delayed-reaction allergy
Immediate-reaction allergy
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DELAYED
AFFECT ANYONE
REPEATED/PROLONGED SKIN
EXPOSURE
T-CELL ACTIVATED
APPROX: 48HRS REACTION
Poison Ivy
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IMMEDIATE REACTION
OCCURS IN MINUTES
INDIVIDUALS GENETICALLY
PREDISPOSED
B-CELL ACTIVATED
RELEASE OF HISTAMINES
INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE
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It’s A Wrap
Questions??
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