HISTOLOGY

Lymphatic System

Lymphatic System
Protect body against pathogens or
antigens
Basis for this self-defense
distinguish self from nonself
Functions carried out by cells,
effector molecules, tissues and
organs.

Cells of Lymphoid System

LYMPHOCYTES - T cells, B cells, NK cells

Distinguished by immunocytochemical methods.
Differ based on life history, surface receptors and
behavior during immune response.
T cells 60-70% of circulating lymphocytes
Bone marrow to the thymus gland.
Mature and become immunocompetent thymus
Migrate to peripheral lymphoid tissue and organs
Destroy the antigen - cytotoxic action or by
activating B cells.
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 Antigen presenting cells are found in many

tissues and include dendritic cells, macrophages
and B lymphocytes. Dendritic cells occur also in
epidermis and many mucosae e.g. Langerhans
cells. APC recognized by helper T-cells trigger
complex immune response.
Functions of cells of the immune system are
regulated by cytokines (peptides and
glycoproteins)
Primarily produced by cells of the immune
system e.g. lymphocytes, macrophages and
other leukocytes. Also by endothelial cells and
fibroblasts. Chemokines and chemotaxins induce
diapedesis of leukocytes and migration to sites
of inflammation
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B cellsProduced within bone marrow.

B cells carried by blood to lymph nodes,
spleen and connective tissue.
Immunocompetent B cells activated by
specific antigen
Activated B cells differentiate into
plasma cells
Plasma cells produce monoclonal
antibodies specific to that antigen.
Natural Killer cells attack virally infected
cells and cancer cells.

Types of Immune Responses

Innate response
Occurs through action of complement system
and cells such as neutrophils, macrophages,
mast cells and NK cells
Fast and nonspecific (older from evolution)
Does not produce memory cells
Adaptive Response
Depends on initial recognition of antigens by
B and T cells
Slower and specific
Produces memory cells
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DIVISIONS OF adaptive or acquired IMMUNITY:

ANTIBODY MEDIATED IMMUNITY (Humoral Immune
Response) Bacterial infections
Helper T cells, B cells, Plasma cells
Effectors - immunoglobulin molecules
CELL MEDIATED IMMUNITY Viral and fungal infections & tumor cells - involved in
rejection of transplanted organs and tissue grafts
Cytotoxic T-cells (act on B-cells, other T-cells and
macrophages & neutrophils)
Effectors T-cells or memory T- cells
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HISTOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF THE

LYMPHOID SYSTEM
LYMPHOID TISSUE: Rich supply of lymphocytes-free within CT
Loose Lymphoid Tissue Few Lymphocytes present
Dense Lymphoid Tissue Many Lymphocytes are present
Nodular Lymphoid Tissue
Isolated cells of the immune system found in the mucosa of
GIT, respiratory, reproductive and urinary systems (collectively
called mucosal associated lymphoid tissue or M.A.L.T)
Solitary nodules
Aggregate nodules Peyers Patches In Ileum
LYMPHOID ORGANS (surrounded by capsule)
Primary (central) Lymphoid Organs:
-Function in lymphocyte production and maturation
-Bone Marrow
-Thymus
Secondary(peripheral) Lymphoid Organs:
-Lymph Nodes
, Spleen, Tonsils

Loose Lymphoid Tissue.

Initial immune response
Found in Lamina propria
MALT
Intercepts antigen
No capsule

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Dense Lymphoid Tissue

Contained in meshwork
Walls of GIT, Genitourinary tract, Respiratory tract
No capsule
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The arrows indicate examples of Nodular

Lymphoid Tissue in the wall of the appendix.
The top arrow marks a primary nodule, one
without a germinal center (area responding to
antigenic stimuli).

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Corona or
Mantle Zone

Lymph Node:
The nodule has a germinal center, that area which is
responding to antigenic stimuli. Lymph nodules are also
called follicles.
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THE THYMUS
Capsule

Septae

Lobule

Primary lymphoid organ

Afferent lymphatic vessel absent
No germinal centers in the thymus
Connective tissue capsule - septae or partitions divide the organ
into lobules.
Each lobule - outer cortex and inner medulla.
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Thymus: Cortex

Cortex of tightly
packed
lymphocytes and
support cells
(epithelial
reticular cells)
Inner medulla lymphocytes less
concentrated.

A - CORTEX
B - MEDULLA

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 Thymic epithelial
reticular cells (ERCs)
-primary support cells in
the
cortex.

Form a cytoreticulum
- held together by
desmosomes

Blood vessels in cortex

ensheathed by
epithelial reticular cells
Sequester the
developing
T- cells
from blood borne
antigens.
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The arrows mark thymic epithelial reticular cells

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BLOOD THYMUS BARRIER

A. Capillary Endothelium
B. Capillary Basal Lamina
C. Perivascular CT
D. Epithelial Reticular Cell
Basal Lamina

E
D
C

E. Epithelial Reticular Cell

L = Lymphocyte
Blood Thymus barrier found only
in the cortex

RBC

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Thymus:
Medulla

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Medulla Blood vessels in medulla

- loose
epithelial reticular cell covering
Lymphocytes differentiate and enlarge
Mature T-cells migrate into medullary
blood vessels
ERCs contract into spherical,
degenerative masses
- forming
Hassalls Corpuscle(s)
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Cortex = A
Medulla = B
Arrow marks a Hassalls
Corpuscle, a key
histological feature of the
thymus.

Hassalls Corpuscles are

found only in the
thymic medulla and
consist of rings of
degenerating epithelial
reticular cells
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Thymus: undergoes involution

after puberty

Adipose cells accumulate

Hassalls Corpuscles
(arrow) seen in remnants of
the medulla.
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DiGeorge Syndrome Caused by a defect in chromosome

22 = Thymic absence or
underdevelopment
Inherited immunodeficiency disease
Affects cortical epithelial cells
Thymus rudimentary developed
Affects production of T-cells

LYMPH NODES

Kidney shaped organs

Distribution course of
lymphatic vessels
Filters lymphatic fluid
Mounts immune
response by
recirculation of
lymphocytes (route of
metastasis)
Capsule surrounds
lymph node
Hilum - arteries and
nerves enter veins and
lymphatic vessels leave
the node
Afferent lymphatic
vessel drains lymph
through convex margin.
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Connective tissue
capsule
Distinct cortex and
medulla.

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Lymph Node Sinuses

Subcapsular sinus

Trabecular Sinus

The afferent vessel - flat epithelial cells

Under the capsule is the sub-capsular sinus

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Subcapsular
sinuses
composed of
loose reticular
cells, and fibers.

Radial sinuses or
trabecular
sinuses run
between
nodules along
the trabeculae.
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Capsule

CORTEX
The outer
cortex
Lymphatic
nodules
composed mainly
of B-cells
T-lymphocytes,
reticular cells.
Macrophages and
APCs (antigen
presenting cells)

Subcapsular sinus

Trabecular sinus
Trabaculae
Lymphatic Nodule

Paracortex

Paracortex - T
cells
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High Endothelial Venules (HEVs) in the deep cortex and medulla

allow for the transition of lymphocytes from the blood stream to
lymph tissue.
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Medulla has two

components:
Medullary cords
A
Medullary sinus
B

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Medullary cord Branched cord-like extensions of dense

lymphoid tissue
Contain primarily B lymphocytes, plasma
cells and macrophages
Medullary Sinus Dilated spaces separating medullary cords
High concentration of lymph,
macrophages
Granulocytes may be present when lymph
node is draining an infected region
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Medullary sinus macrophage processes,

reticular fibers and reticular cells form
meshwork
Retard free flow of lymph and enhances
filtration
Antigenic materials trapped and
phagocytosed
Metastatic cancer- system overwhelmed
by excessive number of cancer cells
New metastatic site
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Lymph node enlarges when responding

to antigens Reflecting- germinal center and
proliferation of lymphocytes
Enlarged lymph nodes = swollen
glands
Painful - distension of capsule by
cellular proliferation and edema.
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HISTOLOGY
Lymphatic System II
If your exams were easy, then
your degree would be worthless.

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Spleen

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THE SPLEEN

The spleen - largest

lymphoid organ
Filters blood - site of
immune responses to
blood borne antigens.
Dense connective tissue
capsule - myofibroblast
Trabaculae
Red Pulp- cords of
Billroth & sinuses
engorged by blood
White pulp- Malphigian
bodies and splenic
lypmhoid nodules =
hyperplasia of lymphoid
tissue

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Covered by simple squamous epithelium (mesothelium, curved

arrow). The splenic capsule (arrow)
Red pulp & White Pulp
Red pulp is at B
White Pulp is A
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White pulp

The white pulp thick accumulation of lymphocytes.

Lymphatic nodules - germinal centers that decrease
with age.
Nodule - exhibits a peripheral zone, the periarterial
lymphatic sheath (PALS)
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Marginal Zone

Mantle Zone

Lymphatic nodule - central artery (CA) which has an eccentric

position.
B cells develop in germinal centers.
Marginal zones of the nodule trap antigens from the circulation and
present the antigen to the lymphocytes of the spleen
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 Red pulp splenic cords(of

Billroth) -dense
network of
reticular fibers
-numerous
erythrocytes,
lymphocytes,
plasma cells,
macrophages
and other
granulocytes.
In between the
splenic cords are
the venous
sinuses

Arrow head- sinsusoids (splenic sinuses)

Arrow- splenic cords

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 Venous sinuses - tall endothelial cells

and supported by an incomplete
basal lamina of reticular fibers.
Macrophages function in the removal
of damaged erythrocytes from
circulation.

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Splenic circulation can be open in which the blood vessel terminates in the red pulp or
closed in which the vessels are continuous.

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Splenectomy - traumatic rupture,

autoimmune diseses or malignant
tumor
Adults who have antibodies less
prone to bacteremia
Children more vulnerable

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Tonsils
Tonsils are part of Gut Associated
Lymphoid Tissue (GALT).
Located at the back of the oral
cavity, in the tongue and pharynx
Process antigens coming into the
body

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Pharyngeal Tonsil
Tubal elevation
Opening of the
Auditory tube

Soft Palate
Palatine tonsil
Lingual Tonsil

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Palatine tonsil

crypt
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 Capsule prevents
spread of infection to
deeper structures
Numerous lymphoid
nodules are located in the
palatine tonsil.
Germinal centers
Tonsillar crypts, whose
lumen contains
desquamated epithelial
cells, live and dead
lymphocytes and bacteria.
The crypts are lined with
epithelium.
Stratified squamous
epithelium is at the
surface of palatine and
lingual tonsils
Palatine Tonsil

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