Basics
Red bone marrow and thymus are examples of what types of lymphoid tissue?
Primary lymphoid tissue.
Lymphocyte activation and monocyte maturation.
What happens to the thymus as you get older?
It decreases in size.
What is lymphedema?
Swelling of the lymph vessels.
These types of lymphoid tissue are the sites of lymphocyte activation.
Secondary lymphoid tissues (lymph nodes, spleen, appendix, MALT)
What is the different between afferent and efferent vessels?
Afferent vessels carry lymph fluid to the lymph node for filtration, while efferent vessels carry the lymph fluid away from the lymph node and back into the bloodstream.
Where is the thymus found?
In the mediastinum.
What is lymphangitis?
Acute inflammation of the lymph vessels.
This characteristic of lymph vessels prevents the backflow of fluid.
One-way valves.
What are the tonsils called that line each side of the throat? What we think of when we mention tonsils.
The palatine tonsils.
What are the main functions of the spleen?
Defense (macrophages, lymphocyte activation), hematopoiesis (macrophage development, lymphocyte activation), RBC and platelet destruction (RBC graveyard), and blood reservoir.
What is lymphadenitis?
Enlarged/inflamed lymph nodes.
This is the process of movement of lymph fluid through lymph vessels via respiration or skeletal muscle contractions.
Lymphokinesis.
What is the connection between lymphedema and breast cancer?
Infection in breasts spread easily from breast to breast, often causing the need for a mastectomy. In the process, lymph nodes may be excised, which can then lead to lymphedema due to the lack of lymph drainage.
T cell maturation.
What is lymphoma?
Tumor of lymph cells.
These are the veins that the right lymphatic and thoracic ducts empty into.
The right and left subclavian veins.
What is the significance of the germinal center of the cortex of a lymph node?
It is the site where B lymphocytes are activated into plasma cells.
Red bone marrow is the site of what?
B cell maturation.