The Immune System

Function:

Your immune system is made up of cells and tissues that will attack any foreign substances in your body. The foreign substances would include viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The immune system isn't located in any specific place/spot in your body, and it does not have a specific "control center." It is all of the individual cells, tissues, and organs working together to fight off pathogens and diseases.

Organs:

Lymph nodes

Lymphatic Vessels

Tonsils

Thymus

Spleen

More about the spleen:

This organ destroys and recycles old red blood cells. It also stores blood, in case of a blood emergency. The spleen also contributes to the circulatory system with the production of red blood cells.

Tissues that make up the spleen:

Connective Tissue

Elastic Tissue

Lymphatic Tissue

Interactions with other systems:

• Interacts with the circulatory system because the spleen works for both the immune system and the circulatory system. It provides the circulatory system with blood.
• Interacts with skeletal system because the pancreas also forms red blood cells like the skeletal system does.

Diseases, Disorders & Other Problems:

• AIDS is a disease that kills many of the helper T cells in the immune system. This can be harmful when another disease attacks the immune system, but the immune system cannot fight it.
• Cancer is a disease in which cells divide at an uncontrollable rate. Cancer can be so severe, that it could lead to death.