title: The lymphoid system and its role in maintaining immunocompetence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a review of the lymphoid system and its role in maintaining immunocompetence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review articles, book chapters, and research articles pertaining to immune function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lymphoid system is the backbone of immunocompetence, regulating the interplay of inflammatory cells and responses with immune cells. This system provides humans with "true immunity."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses need a strong working knowledge of immune function to provide a safe environment, adequate patient support, and interventions when altered immune function is present.
authors.affiliation: Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4904, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Workman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009859:Oncology Nursing