Components of the Immune System: Lymphatic Vessels

A previous article entitled, “Components of the Immune System” discussed several different body parts and their functions in the immune system. This article will discuss the lymphatic vessels and their role in immune health.

The Lymphatic vessels are thin walled structures that carry Lymph. Lymph is critical to the immune system because it carries infection-fighting white blood cells. It is actually blood plasma without the blood cells, and it bathes cells with water and nutrients.

Lymphatic vessels carry lymph to either a primary or secondary lymph system. Primary lymph systems include the thymus gland and bone marrow where the immune cells form. The secondary lymph system is made up of encapsulated and unencapsulated diffuse lymphoid tissue. The encapsulated tissue includes the spleen and the lymph nodes. The unencapsulated tissue includes the gut-associated lymphoid tissues and the tonsils.

The Lymphatic system consists of glands and vessels located throughout the entire human body. This system enables white blood cells to travel to any location and fight infection and disease. Without this system, our immune systems would hardly function.

Components of the Immune System: Spleen

A previous article entitled, “Components of the Immune System” gave a brief overview of the functions each organ performs in the immune system. This article will give more details about the spleen specifically including its size, functions, and complications.

The spleen is an organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen and is usually about 11 centimeters long. Like the thymus, the spleen is part of the lymphatic system and is vital to a healthy immune system.

The spleen is made of red pulp and white pulp. The red pulp’s primary functions are to: create new red blood cells, remove old red blood cells, and hold a reserve of monocytes in case of an emergency. The white pulp removes antibody-coated bacteria from the blood stream and helps our bodies fight infection and illness.

Disorders of the spleen include Splenomegaly, which is the enlarging of the spleen. This can be caused by increased function (often brought on by hypertension), abnormal blood flow, or infiltration (usually caused by leukemia or lymphomas). Asplenia is the absence of normal spleen functions. This can be caused by genetic disorders, damage to the spleen from trauma or tumor, or diseases that destroy the spleen such as sickle-cell disease.

Patients with malfunctioning or surgically removed spleens may experience increased susceptibility to infection, diminished responsiveness to some vaccines, and an increase in circulating white blood cells. It is important for these patients to practice other immune strengthening habits to avoid infection and disease.

Components of the Immune System: Lymph Nodes

A previous article entitled, “Components of the Immune System,” listed of all the body parts involved in immune system functions. The Lymph Nodes are a combination of tiny organs located throughout the body designed to filter out foreign particles. Lymph Nodes are critical to the immune system because they contain white blood cells that are able to fight infection.

Lymph Nodes in humans are the shape of a bean and range in size from a few millimeters to 1-2 centimeters. When Lymph Nodes are infected, they often become enlarged. This condition is commonly referred to as “swollen glands” and is often experienced with a sore throat. In more serious cases, swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of cancerous tumors. The condition of the lymph nodes in cancer patients is often used for “cancer staging”: a way to decide which treatments should be used and determining the prognosis. In order to make swelling of the lymph nodes go down, one must fix the infection that is causing the swelling. Bacterial infections may require antibiotics, while a viral infection will usually go away by itself. However, if any lymph nodes remain enlarged for more than a month, it is important to see a doctor.

Humans have approximately 500-600 lymph nodes distributed throughout the body, with clusters found in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen.

Components of the Immune System: Thymus

A previous article entitled, “Components of the Immune System” touched briefly on each part of the immune system and their functions. This article will discuss the functions of the thymus in greater detail and what complications can occur if these functions are not carried out properly.

The Thymus is an organ located in the upper anterior portion of the chest cavity just behind the sternum. The main function of the thymus is to provide an area for T cell maturation, and is vital in protecting against autoimmunity.

The thymus is unique because it reaches its largest stage during childhood and nearly disappears in adults. At birth, the thymus is five centimeters long and is a grey/pink color. It continues to grow until puberty when it can weigh up to 37 grams. When puberty hits, the thymus becomes inactive and with age it starts to shrink. By the age of 75, the thymus only weighs about six grams and is a yellow color.

Although the thymus becomes nearly invisible in adults, it is still important in immune stimulation. Involution of the gland has been linked to loss of immune function in the elderly, susceptibility to infection, and to cancer. As for young children, premature removal of the thymus due to genetic disorders or surgical removal can result in severe immunodeficiency and a high susceptibility to infection.

Another complication involved with the thymus is the potential for cancerous tumors on the gland known as Thymomas. Some Thymomas grow very slowly and are not highly dangerous, but others spread quickly and affect surrounding tissues. Treatment of Thymomas usually involves removal of the entire Thymus.

Components of the Immune System: Adenoids

A previous article entitled, “Components of the Immune System“, listed all the body parts involved in immune system functions. This article will take a closer look at how one component, the adenoids, play a role in protecting the body against harmful bacteria and viruses.

The immune system protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris. It consists of a number of lymphatic organs which help create lymphocytes (infection-fighting white blood cell). The adenoids are one of the components of the immune system.

What Are Adenoids?

The adenoids are two masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the nose in the upper part of the throat. Their main purpose is to trap irritants/allergens that waft through the air and enter your mouth/nose. They are also made up of cells that make antibodies to help the body fight infections.

How Adenoids Are Most Helpful

When children are very young, their immune systems are not fully developed yet. Adenoids can play a large roll in protecting them from illness at this young age. Adenoids are proportionately larger when we are younger. In fact, as we grow, they shrink and dramatically disappear by the time we reach our teenage years. As they disappear, the body develops other aspects of the immune system to make up for the lack of that front end protection.

How Adenoids Can Be Harmful

Since adenoids are so large in young children, they can obstruct normal breathing and make speech difficult when swollen. This is especially a problem in children that snore and/or sleep with their mouths open. As the adenoids try to fight off infection, they can become swollen because they are so soft and immature. Another problem that can occur if the adenoids are extra large is a constant runny nose. There isn’t enough room in your nasal passages for the nasal fluids to drain properly so they have to come out the front end of your nose.

Fixing Adenoid Problems

Most doctors will try to fix an adenoid problem by prescribing antibiotics to get rid of the infection that is causing swelling. If the swelling doesn’t go down, or the adenoids are just naturally too large for a child’s body, then an adenoidectomy may be required (removal of the adenoids). Many parents do not want their children to undergo surgery on a body part that will just shrink away over time. It is important for people to weigh out the risks and benefits before making a major decision of this nature.

Components of the Immune System: Tonsils

The previous article entitled, “Components of the Immune System,” listed all the body parts involved in immune system functions. This article will take a closer look at how one component, the tonsils, play a role in protecting the body against harmful bacteria and viruses.

Tonsils are gland-like structures on the sides of the throat that carry lymph (a fluid that bathes the cells in water and nutrients). Their main function is to help your immune system by catching bacteria and viruses that are passing through your throat. Unfortunately, sometimes tonsils don’t perform their job very well, and they can often become a hindrance on your health.

There are four types of tonsils: Tubal, Palatine, Pharyngeal and Lingual. Most commonly, the term “tonsils” refers to the Palatine tonsils, located in the back of the throat. They are continuously engaged in local immune responses to microorganisms, and if they become overwhelmed they may be unable to function appropriately.

There are several complications that can occur in the Palatine Tonsils.

• “Tonsil Stones” occur when tiny holes in the surface of the tonsils known as “crypts” get filled with bacterial colonies and harden. Many people with Sinusitis are suffering from Tonsil Stones. This condition can cause foul breath and throat irritation.
• “Acute Tonsillitis” is the inflammation of the tonsils. Signs of Tonsillitis include sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing. The tonsils may appear enlarged, but are often regular size. The best indication of the condition is the color of the tonsils. If they appear very red and seem to be secreting any fluid, it is important to see a doctor.
• “Tonsillar Hypertrophy” is the obstructive swelling of the tonsils. This condition is the most common reason for a tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils). Symptoms include loud snoring accompanied by periods of irregular breathing, nocturnal choking and coughing, frequent awakenings with restless sleep, and behavioral changes.

When Tonsil Stones become exceedingly large and symptomatic, it may be necessary to have them surgically removed. This is a relatively simple procedure. Most doctors use general anesthesia, but in some cases a local numbing agent is all the patient needs for the surgery. Tonsillectomies are the most common surgeries performed on children, although the number of procedures has gone from 1,000,000 per year in the 1950’s to about 600,000 in the 1990’s.

Tonsil Stones don’t always require surgical removal; in fact, many cases require no special treatment at all. Gargling with salt water may be all you need to relieve discomfort associated with tonsillitis and tonsil stones. In more serious cases, antibiotics can be used to treat tonsil stones, but these drugs often have harmful side effects and don’t treat the basic problem causing the condition.

Components of the Immune System

The immune system is made up of a complex network of cells and organs that protect the body from infection. The immune system’s job is to keep harmful materials such as certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi, out of the body, and to destroy any infectious items that do invade the body. The following is a diagram of all the different components of the immune system:

Each individual component of the immune system plays an important role in the growth, development, and release if Lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are the key component of immune system health. They are a type of infection-fighting white blood cell that scan the body for infectious microorganisms and then fight them off.

adenoids (an enlarged mass of lymphoid tissue in the upper pharynx)
tonsils (prominent oval masses of lymphoid tissue on each side of the throat.)
thymus (a ductless, butterfly-shaped gland lying at the base of the neck, formed mostly of lymphatic tissue and aiding in the production of T cells)
lymph nodes (any of the glandlike masses of tissue in the lymphatic vessels containing cells that become lymphocytes)
spleen (a highly vascular, glandular, ductless organ, situated in humans at the cardiac end of the stomach, serving chiefly in the formation of mature lymphocytes, in the destruction of worn-out red blood cells, and as a reservoir for blood)
lymphatic vessels (a network of channels throughout the body that carries lymphocytes to the lymphoid organs and bloodstream)
Peyer’s patches (organized lymphoid tissue usually found in the lowest portion of the small intestine ileum in humans)
bone marrow (a soft highly vascular modified connective tissue that occupies the cavities and cancellous part of most bones)
blood vessels (any of the vessels, as arteries, veins, or capillaries, through which the blood circulates)

Definitions from dictionary.com and wikipedia.com

Immune System Overview

No one likes to get sick. But not many people know why they get sick, or what happens to make them get better again. The immune system has the monumental job of trying to keep us healthy and protected from illness. While it’s always fighting against some kind of pathogen, or outside substance, when you actually become ill your immune system really goes to work.

In order to explain how the immune system works, it’s necessary to know its parts. The immune system makes use of the bone marrow, the bloodstream, and specialized cells called lymphocytes and phagocytes. These cells are the real heroes in the immune system. Phagocytes are specialized cells that destroy invading organisms as they enter the body. Lymphocytes are used to respond to detected organisms once they have entered the body. Lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow. After they are formed, they either are transported via the bloodstream up to the thymus gland to become T-cells or they remain in the bone marrow and become B-cells.

B-cells function as the generals of the army of protective cells. They are responsible for finding threats to the body and they also give the order to the T-cells to seek and destroy if necessary. The B-cells are also responsible for producing antibodies, which are used to neutralize threats. Once the antibodies have been created and locked onto a target, the B-cells then call upon the T-cells. The T-cells are transported in the blood to the site of the attack, where they will break down and destroy the threat.

Immune system health is a very important consideration for anyone. Everyone needs to keep their immune system up and running through vitamins, supplements, healthy diet, and rest. For example, the ascorbic acid found in vitamin C seems to increase the production of lymphocytes. Another example is zinc, which helps to develop and activate the T-cells. Additionally, insufficient rest has a dampening effect on the immune system. Studies have found that even minor sleep deficiencies can cause a lack of disease-fighting lymphocytes and other cells.

Some people are fortunate enough to have very strong immune systems, but for most of us it is necessary to consciously work to feed our bodies with things that will increase the ability of our immune system to fight disease and infection.

Immune Boosting Foods

Have you ever wondered what some of the best immune boosting foods are to help protect your immune system? Properly feeding your body will help strengthen your immune system so that it can fight off germs, bacteria, and viruses that cause illness.

Vitamin C and vitamin E are two of the most powerful vitamins that will help build immune systems. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects against infection and enhances immunity. It works by increasing the production of lymphocytes and antibodies, which fight off infection and help prevent the entry of viruses. Some of the best Vitamin C sources include citrus fruits, potatoes, green peppers, strawberries, and pineapple. Vitamin E is very important to help strengthen immune systems because it enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria. There is ample research showing that people who eat vitamin E rich foods have higher immunity. Some good sources of vitamin E include seeds, vegetable oils and grains.

Beta-carotene and Omega-3 fats are also excellent immune boosters. Beta-carotene increases the number of infection fighting cells, natural killer cells and helper T cells. Some foods that are rich in beta-carotene include sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, collard greens, cilantro and fresh lime. Omega-3 fats work by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria. They also help speed up healing and strengthen resistance to infection in the body. Omega-3 fats can be found in fatty fish, flax oil and flax seeds, omega-3 eggs, nuts and seeds.

Two additional dietary elements that act as immune boosters may come as a surprise. Zinc and garlic both work well to strengthen the immune systems. Zinc helps prevent a weakened immune system and also decreases susceptibility to infection. Some zinc rich foods include oysters, liver, lean beef, pork, turkey, lamb, lentils, pumpkin seeds, garbanzo beans and yogurt. Garlic is known for its cold-fighting abilities. The immune-boosting properties of garlic appear to be due to its sulfur-containing compounds.

It’s surprising what good food can do to strengthen the immune system! As much as we love to eat junk food and sweets, a healthy diet can truly work wonders in preventing illness and keeping us healthy and happy.