Lymphatic & Immune Functions
What structure acts as the main filter for lymph before it returns to the bloodstream?
Lymph nodes
Which immune cells are primarily responsible for antibody production?
B lymphocytes (B cells)
hat class of proteins, also called immunoglobulins, is secreted by B cells to neutralize pathogens?
Antibodies
A sudden tissue injury triggers this short-term inflammatory phase. What is it called?
Acute inflammation.
A client with acute systemic inflammation, like a fever and flu would they be indicated or contraindicated for massage?
Contraindicated
Which two ducts are responsible for returning lymph to the venous system?
Right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct.
What type of lymphocyte is involved in cell mediated immunity rather than antibody production?
T lymphocytes (T cells)
These surface proteins help T cells recognize antigens; what are they called?
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules
When tissue repair fails to progress normally and inflammation persists, what condition is present?
Chronic inflammation.
If a client has lymphatic obstruction causing chronic swelling in the extremities, what is this condition called?
Lymphedema.
The spleen performs two major functions: filtering blood and ______?
Storing white blood cells and red blood cells.
Large phagocytic cells that engulf pathogens and present antigens to lymphocytes are called?
Macrophages
Which inflammatory mediator is responsible for increasing capillary permeability and triggering pain at injury sites?
Bradykinin
The process where fibroblasts lay down early, weak collagen at an injury site is called?
Granulation.
Why is understanding a client’s medication history crucial before a massage session, especially for those on immunosuppressants?
Medications can alter healing, increase infection risk, or affect tissue response to manual therapy.
Name the fluid that circulates through lymphatic vessels and carries immune cells.
Lymph
Which type of white blood cell is the first responder to bacterial infection, performing rapid phagocytosis?
Neutrophils
When antibodies bind to antigens on a pathogen and directly neutralize them without the help of other cells, this process is called?
Neutralization
During the repair phase of healing, fibroblasts lay down collagen. Which type of collagen is first deposited?
Type III collagen
Which organ is responsible for filtering pathogens and damaged cells from the blood but is unprotected posteriorly, requiring caution during massage?
Spleen.
What lymphatic organ is located behind the sternum and is crucial for T cell maturation?
Thymus
Natural killer cells target and destroy cells infected by viruses or transformed into cancer cells. Are they part of the innate or adaptive immune system?
Innate immune system
The complement system contributes to pathogen destruction. Name one key function it performs.
Opsonization, cell lysis, or inflammation promotion.
A burn produces a blister; what type of fluid fills it?
Serous exudate.
Why is understanding a client’s medication history crucial before a massage session, especially for those on immunosuppressants?
Medications can alter healing, increase infection risk, or affect tissue response to manual therapy.