Lymphatic System and Immunity

Fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system, originating from interstitial fluid and eventually draining into the circulatory system.

The process of absorbing fats from the small intestine into the lymphatic system.

Tiny, closed-ended vessels that collect fluid from tissues and form the beginning of the lymphatic system.

Larger vessels that carry lymph from lymphatic capillaries to the lymphatic organs and eventually to the circulatory system.

Lymphatic vessel that drains lymph from the right upper limb, right head, neck, and chest, and empties into the right subclavian vein.

Lymphatic vessel that drains lymph from the rest of the body and empties into the left subclavian vein.

Small, bean-shaped organs located throughout the body that filter lymph and house immune cells.

Lymphatic tissue located in the back of the mouth and top of the throat that helps filter out pathogens.

Inflammation of the palatine tonsils, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Surgical removal of the palatine tonsils.

Surgical removal of the pharyngeal tonsils.

The outer layer of a lymph node, containing lymphatic nodules and sinuses.

Areas of tissue within lymph nodes and other organs, containing rapidly dividing lymphocytes.

Spaces within lymph nodes, containing macrophages and fibers, where lymphatic fluid flows.

A large organ located in the left upper abdomen, responsible for filtering blood and storing white blood cells.

The ability of the body to resist damage from foreign substances such as microorganisms, harmful chemicals, and internal threats.

A type of immunity that is nonspecific, meaning the body recognizes and destroys certain foreign substances in the same way each time it is exposed.

A group of approximately 20 proteins found in plasma that play an important role in innate immunity.

Proteins that offer protection against viral infections by interfering with viral replication.

The process by which white blood cells are drawn to a site of infection or inflammation.

The ingestion and destruction of particles by cells called phagocytes.

Monocytes that leave the blood, enter tissues, and enlarge about fivefold. They play a crucial role in phagocytosis.

A type of lymphocyte produced in red bone marrow that recognizes and destroys tumor cells or virus-infected cells in general.

The ability of the immune system to recognize and target specific pathogens or substances. It allows the immune system to mount a specific response tailored to the invading threat.

The ability of the immune system to remember past encounters with pathogens and mount a faster and stronger immune response upon subsequent exposure.

Substances that trigger an adaptive immune response. They are often foreign molecules like proteins, carbohydrates or lipids.

Antigens that originate from outside the body, such as bacteria, viruses, or allergens. They are not naturally found within the body.

The body's own molecules that can mistakenly trigger an immune response, leading to autoimmune diseases. This happens when the immune system fails to recognize them as self.

A type of immune response that utilizes antibodies produced by B cells to neutralize pathogens and toxins. This involves the humoral aspect of immunity, where antibodies circulate in bodily fluids.

A type of immune response that involves T cells directly attacking infected cells, tumor cells, or transplanted tissues. It's characterized by cellular action, rather than circulating antibodies.

Cells that give rise to all blood cells, including the lymphocytes responsible for adaptive immunity. These stem cells reside in the bone marrow.

Antibodies are protein molecules that bind to specific antigens and initiate an immune response. They are produced by B lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell.

The variable region of an antibody is the part that binds to a specific antigen. This region varies between antibodies, allowing them to recognize and bind to different antigens.

The constant region of an antibody is the rest of the antibody molecule, not involved in antigen binding. It interacts with other components of the immune system to trigger immune responses.

Plasma cells are specialized B lymphocytes that produce and secrete large amounts of antibodies. They are essential for antibody-mediated immunity.

Memory B cells are long-lived B lymphocytes that retain the memory of a specific antigen. They are responsible for mounting a faster and more robust immune response upon subsequent exposure to the same antigen.

Active immunity is when the immune system is stimulated to produce its own antibodies against an antigen. This can be acquired naturally through infection or artificially through vaccination.

Passive immunity is when antibodies are transferred from one person to another, providing immediate protection against a specific antigen. This can be acquired naturally from a mother to her fetus or artificially through injection of antibodies from a donor.

Cell-mediated immunity is a type of immune response that involves the direct killing of infected or abnormal cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). It is important for fighting viral infections, tumors, and organ transplants.