which cells are responsible for antibody production

Which cells are responsible for antibody production full#

The spleen is the largest internal organ of the immune system, and as such, it contains a large number of immune system cells. From here, the lymph and its immune cells are returned to the bloodstream for another trip through the body. The lymph from these areas drains to the smaller duct. The thoracic duct collects lymph from the whole body except the right side of the chest and head. Depending on where the filtered lymph arrives from, it enters either the thoracic duct on the left side of the heart, or a similar, but smaller duct on the right side of the heart.

Lymphatic vessels - Once filtration is complete, lymph vessels carry this fluid toward the heart.If pathogens are detected, immune system components are activated (see “adaptive immune system' section below for more about this). Then the lymphatic fluid containing immune cells enters draining lymph nodes where it is filtered. Lymphatic fluid collects pathogens and debris in the tissues. Blood vessels - Lymph, a fluid rich in immune system cells and signaling chemicals, travels from the blood into body tissues via capillaries.Two vessel systems are critical to the immune function of lymph nodes: But, the same thing can occur anywhere lymph nodes are activated. “Swollen glands” in the neck are an example that most of us have experienced. The result is that the nodes increase in size and the surrounding areas may become tender as the enlarged nodes take up more space than usual. Once a pathogen is detected, nearby lymph nodes, often referred to as draining lymph nodes, become hives of activity, where cell activation, chemical signaling, and expansion of the number of immune system cells occur. If the immune system is a police force, lymph nodes are their stations. Lymph nodes tend to be most prevalent in areas near body openings, such as the digestive tract and the genital region, because this is where pathogens most often enter the body. Numerous unnamed lymph nodes also exist throughout the body in fact, virtually every corner of our body has some group of lymph nodes associated with it. For example, many people are familiar with tonsils and adenoids in the neck, but may not be aware of Peyer’s patches, which are lymph nodes that line the intestine. These nodes are located strategically throughout the body.

Which cells are responsible for antibody production full#

Lymph nodes are tissues full of immune cells.

The thymus is located just above the heart behind the sternum, or breastbone. Cells that eventually become T cells travel from the bone marrow to the thymus by way of our bloodstream where they mature (hence the name “T cell”). B cells mature in the bone marrow (hence the name “B cell”). Two types of lymphocytes comprise the adaptive immune system - B cells and T cells. Some of the stem cells will become a type of immune system cell called a lymphocyte. As a result, in the same way that the red blood cells in our blood are replenished after an injury or blood donation, our immune system cells are constantly replenished. The cell generation and differentiation process occurs every day for as long as we live. These stem cells later develop into specific cell types, including red blood cells, platelets (important for blood clotting), and white blood cells (important for immune responses). All cells of the immune system are created in the bone marrow from a common type of starting cell, called a stem cell.

If the immune system is a police force, the bone marrow is the police academy because this is where the different types of immune system cells are created. Organs and tissues important to the proper functioning of the immune system include the thymus and bone marrow, lymph nodes and vessels, spleen, and skin.