Topic #5 The Lymphatic System

Joanna Komorowski, Ph.D.

Learning objectives
The Lymphatic System
Describe the structure and main functions of the vessels and organs of the lymphatic system Explain the origin of lymph as well as its transport

Chapter 20, pages 753-764

Functions of the Lymphatic System

Maintaining fluid balance -the return of fluid and solutes from peripheral tissues to the blood

The production, maintenance and distribution of lymphocytes -lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues are the site of production of immunocompetent lymphocytes and macrophages in the specific immune response

Distribution of hormones, nutrients and waste products from their tissues of origin to the general circulation -e.g. the lipids absorbed by the digestive tract commonly fail to enter circulation at the capillary level. They reach the blood stream only after they have travelled along the lymphatic vessels

The lymphatic system

About 3 litres of interstitial fluid is produced daily by the filtration of blood plasma This excess fluid plus any plasma proteins that escaped from the blood stream are drained from the tissue spaces by lymphatic vessels and returned to the blood Two components of the lymphatic system: 1. lymphatic vessels 2. lymphoid tissues and organs

Distribution and structure of lymphatic vessels

Lymphatic capillaries

Lymphatic collecting vessels Lymph nodes

Lymphatic collecting vessels

Lymphatic trunks

Lymphatic ducts

Right and left subclavian veins

Lymphatic vessels

A one-way system - lymph flows only toward the heart!!!!!!!

It returns to the heart by the same mechanisms as observed in veins (recall!!)

Figure 20.1

Lymphatic capillaries
Absent

from bones, teeth, bone marrow, nervous system Blind ended Very permeable - endothelial cells with minivalves - anchoring collagen fibres

Highly specialized lacteals in villi of the intestinal mucosa

Lymphatic vessels functions

Collect excess fluid from the interstitium and return this fluid to the bloodstream Return leaked proteins to blood Carry lipids from the intestine to the blood Carry debris, bacteria, cancer cells etc. to lymph nodes for destruction (some may escape and spread through the lymphatic system)
Figure 20.2b

Lymphatics in the skin travel with veins and those of the trunk and GI viscera travel with the deep arteries Figure 20.2a

Lymphokinetic motion - the flow of lymph

The lymphatic system lacks a pumping organ Vessels are low-pressure conduits Lymph flows down the pressure gradient Uses the same methods as veins to propel lymph: -pulsations of nearby arteries -muscular and respiratory pumps push lymph forward due to function of the semilunar valves - contractions of smooth muscle in the walls of the lymphatics

Obstruction of lymph movement

Lymphedema is the accumulation of tissue fluid in interstitial spaces, mainly tissues under the skin. It is the result of an overload of fluid not cleared by the lymphatic system

Lymphoid cells and tissues

Undifferentiated stem cells (originate from red bone marrow)
Mature in the thymus Mature in bone marrow

T lymphocytes (T cells)
Stimulated by the appropriate antigen T cells divide and differentiate, producing a clone of activated T cells and memory T cells Activated T cells manage the cellmediated immune responses; some of them directly attack and destroy the invaders Memory T cells

B lymphocytes (B cells)
Stimulated by the appropriate antigen B cells divide and differentiate, producing a clone of antibodysecreting plasma cells and memory B cells B cells manage the antibodymediated immune responses; their daughter plasma cells secrete antibodies into the blood and other body fluids, immobilizing antigens until they are destroyed by phagocytes

Antigen = anything the body perceives as foreign (bacteria, viruses, fungi, cancer cells)

Lymhoid cells
Besides lympocytes, other lymphoid cells include: macrophages -phagocyte foreign substances and help to activate T cells dendritic cells capture antigens and bring them back to the lymph nodes reticular cells produce the reticular fibre stroma supporting other cells in the lymphoid organs

Lymphoid tissue
Lymphoid tissue: houses and provides proliferation site for lymphocytes provides ideal surveillance vantage point for lymphocytes and macrophages Composed of reticular connective tissue (all lymphoid organs except thymus) consisting of: reticular cells -lymphocytes B and T (travel between the lymphoid tissue and the other tissues of the body) -phagocytes (macrophages) -dendritic cells reticular fibres that form 3dimentional mesh

Lymphoid tissue, cont.

Diffuse lymphoid tissue - a few scattered lymphoid elements; ubiquitous; particularly common in the lamina propria of mucous membranes and lymphoid organs

Lymphoid follicles (nodules) solid, spherical bodies with tightly packaged reticular elements and cells; germinal centers; no capsule - often parts of larger lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes - aggregations of follicles in the intestinal wall (Peyers patches) and in the appendix

Lymph nodes
The principal lymphoid organs in the body

Found throughout the body along the course of lymphatic vessels Encapsulated Filter the lymph - Macrophages remove & destroy microorganisms Activate immune system; lymphocytes mount attacks against invaders Large clusters of lymph nodes near body surface, in the inguinal (groin), axillary, and cervical regions and sites of lymphatic vessels convergence Afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels

Figure 20.4

Other lymphoid organs

All lymphoid organs are composed of reticular CT Only lymph nodes filter lymph Other organs have only efferent lymphatics

Figure 20.5

Spleen
Largest lymphoid organ; beneath diaphragm; surrounded by capsule

1) site for lymphocyte proliferation; immune surveillance & response 2) blood cleansing 3) storage of RBC products (iron) for recycling 4) RBC production in fetus 5) storage of blood platelets White pulp immunity (mostly lymphocytes); Red pulp RBCs and venous sinuses; RBCs disposal plus splenic cords rich in macrophages Thin capsule

Figure 20.6

Tonsils
The tonsils gather and remove many pathogens entering the pharynx in food or inhaled air

Palatine tonsils Lingual tonsil Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) Tubal tonsils

Cryps trap bacteria and particular matter

Thymus
DOES NOT DIRECTLY fight antigens!! Site of T cell maturation

Soft structure consisting of two lobes (bilobed) Prominent in newborns, maximum size at puberty (30-40 grams), atrophies afterwards (15 grams in the elderly) Most cells T lymphocytes originating from bone marrow; some macrophages Surrounded by capsule Produces hormones thymopoietin and thymosins Mature T cells travel via blood to the lymph nodes, spleen, and diffuse lymphatic tissues, where they reside and are responsible for cell-mediated immune responses

Aggregates of lymphoid nodules

Peyers patches: lymph nodule clusters (wall of ileum) Appendix: lymph nodules forming offshoot of caecum; destroy bacteria; generate memory lymphocytes MALT = Peyers patches + appendix + tonsils + nodules in walls of bronchi + genitourinary organs
MALT Mucosa-Associated Lymphatic Tissue: -collection of small lymphoid tissue
- MALT protects the digestive and respiratory systems i.e. passages open to the exterior from foreign matter -MEMORY lymphocytes!!!!