30 Questions
What is the primary function of the epithelial cells in the thymus?
To secrete hormones that regulate the maturation and proliferation of T cells
What is the result of fatty infiltration in the thymus?
A decrease in the production of T cells
What is the function of Thymopoietin?
To regulate the development of T cells
What is the characteristic of the outer cortex of the thymus?
It is intensely basophilic
What is the process by which the thymus reduces its function with age?
Involution
What is the purpose of the hormones secreted by the thymus?
To regulate the development of T cells and induce immunological tolerance to self-antigens
What is the process that occurs during the maturation of T cells in the thymic cortex?
Rearrangement of TCR genes and acquisition of surface receptors
What is the term used to describe the appearance of macrophages at the cotico-medullary junction?
Starry sky
What is the main feature of the thymic medulla?
Important epithelial component
What is the function of dendritic cells in the immune system?
To boost immune responses by showing antigens on its surface
What is the term used to describe the process of T cells undergoing maturation and gaining the depth of the cortex to the medulla?
Migration
What is the characteristic of the cells in the outer cortex part of the thymic cortex?
Big lymphocytes or lymphoblasts
Which type of vessels do blood lymphocytes enter the lymph node through?
Post-capillary venules
What is the function of stromal cells in the lymph node?
To provide a framework for the node's structure
Where do lymphocytes that are unable to respond to antigens in the lymph node go?
They leave the node through the lymphatic efferents and reach the next node in the chain
What type of cells are macrophages, follicular dendritic cells, and interdigitated dendritic cells?
Accessory immunological cells
What is the purpose of lymphocyte recirculation?
To allow lymphocytes to circulate indefinitely until they meet their corresponding antigen
Where do lymphocytes enter the lymph node from?
Through both the blood and lymphatic afferents
What are thymic interdigitating cells responsible for?
Presenting antigens to T cells
What is the function of Hassall's corpuscles?
Unknown
What is the destination of mature T cells after leaving the thymus?
Blood and lymph vessels
What is the name of the type of lymphoid tissue found in the respiratory tract?
BALT
What is the name of the lymphoid tissue found in the gut?
GALT
Where can isolated lymphocytes be found in the body?
In most loose connective tissue and epithelial cells
What is the primary function of lymph nodes in the immune response?
To filter and trap antigens from the lymphatic vessels
What occurs to lymphocytes in the lymph node after they bind to an antigen?
They undergo clonal expansion and produce memory cells
What is the outer, more cellular region of the lymph node called?
Cortex
What is the purpose of the afferent lymphatic vessels in the lymph node?
To bring antigens from the lymphatic vessels into the node
What is the structure that surrounds the lymph node and sends connective tissue spans into the node?
Capsule
What happens to the size of the lymph node during an active immune response?
It increases dramatically in size
Learn about the functions of the thymus, including the development of T cells, clonal proliferation, and immunological tolerance to self antigens. Understand how the thymus regulates T cell maturation and proliferation in the body.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
