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Lymph Node Structure and Function
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Lymph Node Structure and Function

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the spleen?

  • To filter lymph and remove debris
  • To produce lymphocytes
  • To filter blood and remove debris (correct)
  • To store platelets and RBCs
  • What is the role of Peyer's patches in the lymphatic system?

  • To act as a sentinel to protect the digestive tract (correct)
  • To act as a sentinel to protect the respiratory tract
  • To filter blood and remove debris
  • To produce lymphocytes
  • What is the function of the medulla in a lymph node?

  • To produce antibodies
  • To filter lymph and remove debris
  • To contain follicles with lymphocytes
  • To contain phagocytic macrophages (correct)
  • What is the function of the cortex in a lymph node?

    <p>To contain follicles with lymphocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the flow of lymph through a lymph node?

    <p>It slows down due to fewer efferent vessels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can happen to lymph nodes when large amounts of bacteria or viruses are present?

    <p>They become inflamed and tender to touch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the spleen in relation to red blood cells?

    <p>It destroys worn out red blood cells and recycles some products</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of lymphoid tissue is the spleen?

    <p>A solitary lymphoid organ</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of tonsils?

    <p>To trap and remove bacteria and other foreign materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of macrophages in Peyer's patches?

    <p>To capture and destroy bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what stage of life does the thymus function at its peak levels?

    <p>Childhood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is lymphopoiesis?

    <p>The production of lymphocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of thymosin?

    <p>To stimulate maturation of T cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of circulating leukocytes are lymphocytes?

    <p>20-40%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three classes of lymphocytes?

    <p>T cells, B cells, NK cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to T cells after they mature in the thymus?

    <p>They enter the bloodstream and travel to the red bone marrow and peripheral tissues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the lymphatic system?

    <p>To transport escaped fluids back to the blood and play essential roles in body defense</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the interstitial fluid that remains behind in the tissue spaces?

    <p>It develops into edema if not returned to the plasma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of lymphatic capillaries that allows them to push fluid only towards the heart?

    <p>Their overlapping endothelial cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the mechanism by which lymph flows towards the heart?

    <p>Milking action of skeletal muscle and rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle in vessel walls</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of larger lymphatic vessels?

    <p>They contain a greater number of valves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of lymph nodes?

    <p>To filter lymph and remove pathogens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the fluid carried by lymphatic vessels?

    <p>Lymph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between lymphatic vessels and blood vessels?

    <p>Lymphatic vessels have lower pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of edema?

    <p>It hampers the cells' ability to exchange substances with the interstitial fluid and blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the lymphatic system in body defense?

    <p>To filter out pathogens and foreign substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Lymph Node Structure

    • Lymph nodes are kidney-shaped and less than 1 inch long, buried in connective tissue
    • The cortex is the outer part of the lymph node, containing follicles with collections of lymphocytes
    • The medulla is the inner part of the lymph node, containing phagocytic macrophages

    Flow of Lymph Through Nodes

    • Lymph flows through afferent lymphatic vessels, then sinuses inside the node, and finally efferent lymphatic vessels
    • There are fewer efferent than afferent vessels, slowing the flow of lymph
    • Lymph nodes can become inflamed and tender to touch if large amounts of bacteria or viruses become trapped

    MALT (Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue)

    • Includes Peyer's patches, tonsils, and other small accumulations of lymphoid tissue
    • Acts as a sentinel to protect respiratory and digestive tracts

    Other Lymphoid Organs

    • Spleen:
      • Filters blood rather than lymph
      • Destroys bacteria, viruses, and other debris
      • Destroys worn out RBCs and recycles some products, including iron
      • Stores platelets and RBCs, which can be released during hemorrhage
      • Can be removed, but increases the risk of infection
    • Tonsils:
      • Small masses of lymphoid tissue around the pharynx
      • Trap and remove bacteria and other foreign materials
    • Peyer's patches:
      • Found in the wall of the small intestine
      • Resemble tonsils in structure
      • Macrophages capture and destroy bacteria in the intestine
    • Thymus:
      • Located in the upper mediastinum thoracic cavity
      • Functions at peak levels only during childhood, shrinking by puberty
      • Site of T-cell maturation
      • Secretes thymosin

    Lymphopoiesis

    • Lymphopoiesis is the production of lymphocytes
    • Involves red bone marrow, thymus, and peripheral lymphoid tissues
    • Thymosin stimulates maturation of T cells, which reenter the bloodstream when near mature and travel to red bone marrow and peripheral tissues

    Lymphocytes

    • Account for 20-40% of circulating leukocytes
    • Circulating lymphocytes are a small fraction of the total lymphocyte population
    • There are three classes of lymphocytes: T cells, B cells, and NK cells

    The Immune System

    • Consists of two semi-independent parts: lymphatic vessels and lymphoid tissues and organs
    • Lymphatic system functions: transports escaped fluids back to the blood and plays essential roles in body defense and resistance to disease

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    Description

    This quiz covers the structure and function of lymph nodes, including their location, cortex, and medulla, as well as the flow of lymph through nodes.

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