Lymphatic System

Lymphatic System’s Role in Immunity
The human body has built in defense mechanisms to aid against foreign substances, pathogens, toxins and diseases. The type of immunity used by the body depends on the type of pathogen and whether that pathogen has already entered the body. In cases where the pathogen is inside the body, an internal defense is used to aid in fighting the pathogen. The body may start running a fever or start inflammation to rid itself of the pathogen. In cases where the pathogen has not yet entered the body, defenses such as tears, mucous and saliva can aid in preventing entry to the body or killing pathogens.
Pathogens may also be met with natural killer cells and/or macrophages upon entrance to the body. Cells that are virus infected or tumor cells …show more content…
Natural killer cells look for these specific markings on other cells. If a cell is lacking the specific markings due to being diseased or infected, the natural killer cells will attack and kill the cell. Another type of cell that aids in pathogen destruction is the macrophage. The macrophage can recognize many different pathogens along with dead, diseased or damaged cells and if one is located, the macrophage “eats” the cell. After consumption, the macrophage turns into an antigen presenting cell. It then travels to the lymphatic system where is presents the antigens to either the T or B lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells produced by the lymphatic system. The T lymphocytes (T-cell) fight specific pathogens and travel throughout the body. Once infection is gone the memory T-cells remain