Ch. 7.9 & 7.10 - Lymphatic System and Immunity - Respiratory System
A storage area for purified lymph (specifically the cisterna chyli), located at the beginning of the thoracic duct. It receives fatty lymph (chyle) from the intestinal lacteals.
Cistema
A network of vessels, organs, and tissues that works parallel to the circulatory system to maintain fluid balance, absorb fats, and, most importantly, fight infection by producing and distributing immune cells.
Lymphatic system
A gland located in the center of the upper chest (mediastinum) that is active early in life. Its primary function is the maturation and training of T-lymphocytes (T-cells), which are critical for the immune response.
Thymus
A chemical process that occurs within the cells (specifically the mitochondria) of the body where oxygen is used to break down glucose and produce energy (ATP), along with water and carbon dioxide as waste products.
Cellular respiration
The process of breathing in (inhalation). It is an active process where the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, and the intercostal muscles raise the ribs, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity to pull air into the lungs.
Inspiration
The body’s ability to resist invading pathogens and their harmful effects, such as fighting off infectious diseases, or protecting itself from foreign substances.
Immunity
Thin-walled tubes, similar to veins, that carry lymph throughout the body. They collect excess tissue fluid and return it to the circulatory system (veins).
Lymphatic vessels
Masses of lymphatic tissue located in the back of the throat and on the sides of the pharynx. They are part of the body's first line of defense, filtering tissue fluid and producing lymphocytes to fight inhaled or ingested pathogens.
Tonsils
Tiny, hairlike projections that line the respiratory tract (from the nasal cavity down to the bronchi) and work to filter air by sweeping mucus and trapped dust/pathogens upward toward the pharynx to be swallowed or expelled
Cilia
the exchange of oxygen ($O_2$) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) that occurs between the blood in the systemic capillaries and the body cells and tissues.
Internal respiration
Specialized lymphatic capillaries located in the villi of the small intestine that absorb digested fats (lipids) and fat-soluble vitamins, transporting them to the lymphatic system.
Lacteals
A short, collecting vessel that drains the lymph from the right upper quadrant of the body (right side of the head, neck, chest, and right arm). It empties the lymph into the right subclavian vein.
Lymphatic duct
Tiny, thin-walled, air sacs located at the end of the smallest bronchioles. They are surrounded by capillaries and are the site where external respiration (gas exchange between air and blood) occurs.
Alveoli
A leaf-shaped flap of cartilage located above the larynx that acts as a lid to prevent food and liquid from entering the respiratory tract (trachea) during swallowing.
Epiglottis
The voice box, located between the pharynx and the trachea. It contains the vocal cords that produce sound and is protected by cartilage, including the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple).
Larynx
A clear, yellowish fluid that circulates through the lymphatic vessels; it is essentially interstitial fluid that has entered the lymphatic capillaries and contains water, nutrients, oxygen, waste products, and lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
Lymph
An organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, responsible for filtering blood, destroying old erythrocytes (red blood cells) and platelets, and storing a reserve of blood. It is a major site for producing and storing lymphocytes.
Spleen
The two large, main air tubes (singular: bronchus) that branch off the lower end of the trachea and carry air into the right and left lungs. They continue to branch into smaller and smaller
Bronchi
The process of breathing out (exhalation). It is a passive process where the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and forcing air out of the lungs
Expiration
The large, spongy organs located in the thoracic cavity that contain the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Their primary function is to facilitate the exchange of gases between the air and the blood.
Lungs
NodesSmall, bean-shaped masses of lymphatic tissue (also called glands) that filter the lymph, removing impurities such as carbon, cancer cells, dead blood cells, and especially pathogens (disease-causing organisms). They also produce lymphocytes.
Lymph nodes
The largest lymphatic vessel in the body. It begins at the cisterna chyli and drains the lymph from the rest of the body (left side of the head, neck, and chest, the left arm, and all of the lower body). It empties into the left subclavian vein.
Thoracic duct
The smallest branches of the bronchi that carry air to the alveoli. They are essential components of the bronchial tree, which resembles an inverted tree.
Bronchioles
The exchange of oxygen (CO2) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) that occurs between the alveoli (air in the lungs) and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries.
External respiration
Two hollow spaces separated by the nasal septum. They are lined with a mucous membrane and richly supplied with blood vessels to warm, filter, and moisten inhaled air.
Nasal cavities