The Lymphatic System Essay, Research Paper
The Lymphatic System
The Lymphatic System is very important. It helps
with the Cardiovascular system, and our immune systems.
The Lymphatic System is made up of two semi-independent
parts. One is a network of lymphatic vessels. The other
part is various lymphoid tissues and organs all over the
body. The functions of the Lymphatic System transporting
fluids that have escaped from the blood vascular system,
and the organs house phagocytic cells and lymphocytes.
Lymphatic vessels are an elaborate system of drainage
vessles that collect the excess protein-containing fluid and
returns it to the bloodstream.. Once an interstitial fluid
enters the lymphatics it is called lymph. The lymphatic
vessels form a one way system in which lymph flows only
towards the heart. This entire transport sytem starts in the
lymph capillaries. These are very commmon, usually occur
in the places blood capillaries occur. Lymph capillaries are
not found in bone, teeth, bone marrow, and entire central
nervous system. Lymphatic capillaries are very permeable.
The endothelial cells that make up the walls of the
capillaries are not tightly joined. Filament anchor the
endothelium cells so they can expand. Pathogens can
spread through the body through the lymphatic stream.
There are many cells in the lymphoid tissue. One type
is lymphocytes, which are reffered to often as T or B cells.
Plasma cells are antibody-producing offspring of B cells.
Macrophages are phagocytes that help out with immunity.
Reticular cells are cells that form the lymphoid tissue
stroma. Thes c
system.
The Lymphatic System also contains tissues. The
tissue of the Lymphatic System is reticular connective
tissue. It hold the macrophages and changes the number of
lymphocytes. It is an important part of the immune system.
The Lymphoid tissue can be found in the follicles.
Lymphoid organs are discrete and encapsulated. The main
lymphoid organs are the spleen, tonsils, thymus and lymph
nodes.
The lymph nodes are placed along the lymphatic
vessels. Each node has a fibrous capsule, a cortex, and a
medulla. The lymph nodes circulate fluids. The lymph
enters the lymph nodes through afferent lymphatic vessels
and exits through the efferent vessels. (afferent=enter,
efferent=exit)
Most lymphoid organs contain both macrophages and
lymphocytes. The spleen is a place for immune function,
and it kills defective or aged red blood cells and
blood-borne pathogens. The spleen also stores platelets,
products of hemoglobin, and acts as hematopoietic sites in
the fetus. The Thymus contains hormones. It is mostly
functional in youth. Peyer s patches are on the tonsils,
intestional wall, lymphatic nodules of the appendix and
nodules of the respitory tract. (MALT)
The many functions of the lymphatic system help the
body to maintain body homeostasis. Some of the functions
are removing foreign matter, maintain correct blood
volume, and very important in immunity. I never really
realized that the lymphatic system had so many functions.
It seems to be a very important part of the body. The
immunity part is very important.