Transcript Structures of the lymphatic system

Lymphatic & Immune
System
Function and Structures of
the Lymph System
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Two functions of the lymphatic system:
Absorb fats and vitamins from digestive system
Return waste products and extra fluid to
circulatory system
Structures of the lymphatic system:
Lymph fluid, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, tonsils,
spleen, thymus, lymphocytes
See Figures 6.1 and 6.2, p. 106
Structures of the
Lymphatic System
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Lymph fluid – removes waste from cells, filtered by
lymph nodes before re-entering circulatory system
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Lymph vessels – have valves, always flow toward
the thoracic (chest) cavity
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Lymph nodes – location of lymphocyte production;
nodes filter lymph fluid of harmful substances;
swollen lymph nodes may mean there is a disease
process
See figure 6.3, p. 107
Structures of the
Lymphatic System
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Tonsils – masses of lymphatic tissue located in
back of mouth on sides of throat
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Spleen – filters blood, makes lymphocytes &
monocytes, removes old RBC’s
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Thymus – located above the heart, important in
immune and endocrine systems
Pathology of the
Lymphatic System
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Lymphadenitis - (lymphaden/o + -itis)
inflammation of lymph nodes
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Lymphadenopathy – (lymphaden/o + -pathy)
disease of lymph node
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Lymphedema – (lymph/o + -edema) swelling from
lymph fluid accumulation
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Splenomegaly – (splen/o + -megaly)
enlargement of the spleen
www.hoslink.com/haematology/splenomegaly.jpg
Function of the
Immune System
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Function of the Immune System
Protect the body from harmful substances
such as microorganisms, allergens,
poisons, malignant cells
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Structures include tonsils & adenoids, bone
marrow, appendix, spleen, thymus, skin,
lymph nodes and vessels
Defense Mechanisms
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First Line of Defense
Skin – barrier against organisms entering the body
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Respiratory system – traps inhaled foreign matter,
coughing & sneezing helps remove
matter
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Digestive system – uses acids and enzymes to
destroy organisms swallowed or eaten in food
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Lymphatic system – fight invaders after they enter
body
Types of Immunity
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Immune Response – activated when a foreign
substance (antigen) enters the body, proteins
(antibodies) bind to the antigen to mark it so that other
cells in the immune system can destroy the antigen
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Types of Immunity
Natural Immunity – passed from mother to fetus before
birth
Acquired Immunity – development of antibodies
following a disease (ex. chicken pox)
Artificial Immunity – immunity acquired from
vaccination (ex. MMR, tetanus, hepatitis, etc…)
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Pathology of the
Immune System
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Pathology of Immune System
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Allergic Reaction – overreaction by the body to
an antigen (see figure 6.7, p. 111)
Anaphylaxis – severe allergic reaction,
can be fatal without rapid treatment
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) –
bloodborne pathogen that invades and kills cells
of the immune system
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) –
advanced stage of HIV
Pathogenic Organisms
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Pathogenic Organisms (Path/o = disease + genic = creation
or reproduction) See figure 6.9, p. 114
Bacteria – one-celled microscopic organism (ex. Staph or
strep)
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Fungus – parasitic plant
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Yeast – type of fungus
http://www.aceium.com/images/fungus.jpg
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Parasite – plant or animal living in another organism
(example malaria)
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Virus – invade cells, reproduce, and spread to other cells
Examples of viruses: chickenpox, mono, measles, rabies
Treatments / Medications
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Medications to treat infections
Antibiotics – used to treat bacterial infections
(anti = against + bi/o = life + -tic = pertaining to)
Antivirals – used to treat viral infections
Oncology – study of the prevention, cause and
treatment of cancer
Tumors
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Terms related to tumors:
Neoplasm – new, abnormal tissue
formation
Benign – not malignant, favorable recovery
Malignant – harmful, tends to spread,
become worse or life threatening
Metastasize – cancer that spreads from
one place to another
Cancer
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Types of Cancer:
Carcinoma – malignant tumor in the epithelial layer
of tissue (carcin = cancerous + -oma = tumor)
Sarcoma – malignant tumor in the connective
tissue (sarc- = flesh)
Lymphoma – malignancy in the
lymphatic system
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Blastoma – malignancy of immature cells (blast =
immature)
Cancer Cont’d.
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Breast Cancer – malignant tumor that
develops from the cells of the breast.
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Detection of breast cancer – breast self
exam, mammogram, biopsy
http://www.alternative-cancer.net/images/cancer%20cell,%20breast.jpg
Cancer Treatments
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Cancer Treatments
Surgery – removing the malignancy (tumor) plus
some of the surrounding normal tissue
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Chemotherapy – use of toxic chemical agent and
drugs to destroy malignant cells
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Radiation – treatment of
cancer through x-rays
http://www.srhc.com/services/oncology/image/Clinac.jpg
Career Opportunities
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Career Opportunities
Cytotechnologist – laboratory tech who
examines cell samples
Lymphedema therapist – provides
massage, skin care, bandaging, exercises,
etc… to lymphedema patients
http://www.ipmr.org/graphics/OTpics/lymphedema1.jpg