Library · Physiology
The journey of lymphocytes
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The body's defenses have their own transport network: the lymphatic system. Through those vessels, the lymph nodes receive antigens, the markers of what is foreign, plus antibodies and the defense cells themselves.
The shape of the node explains the route. Several afferent lymphatic vessels enter each one, and a single efferent vessel leaves it and eventually drains into the veins. Think of several streets leading into a plaza and a single way out.
Lymphocytes, the white cells of the immune system, make use of that network. B lymphocytes, for example, live in the secondary lymphoid organs and at the same time circulate in the blood.
That coming and going matters because it is precisely in those organs that the antigen is recognized and the lymphocyte is activated.
In brief
The lymphatic system is the immune system's transport network: antigens, antibodies and immune cells reach the lymph nodes through it.
Several afferent lymphatics enter each node and a single efferent one leaves, eventually draining into the veins.
Several streets leading into a plaza and a single way out.
B lymphocytes, for example, reside in the secondary lymphoid organs and at the same time circulate in the blood.
That traffic matters because it is in those organs that the antigen is recognized and the lymphocyte is activated.
Sources (3)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingPhysiology, Lymphatic System, StatPearlsPublished
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingHistology, Lymph Nodes, StatPearlsPublished
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingPhysiology, Immune Response, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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