Lymphatic System: Part I

1. What is another term for lymphatic nodules?

a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue

Answer: a

The localized concentrations of lymphocytes that are seen in the respiratory tract, genitourinary
tract, and gastrointestinal tract are lymph follicles. They are also called lymphatic nodules.
The lymphatic tissue in the spleen is called white pulp. The large aggregates of lymphatic
tissue in the ileum are called Peyer's patches. A lymph node is an encapsulated lymphatic
organ. The random distribution of lymphocytes seen in the lamina propria of the respiratory
tract, genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract is called diffuse lymphatic tissue. Diffuse
lymphatic tissue in not encapsulated.

2. Which layer of the gastrointestinal tract contains the gut associated lymphatic tissue?

a. Mucosa
b. Sub mucosa
c. Muscularis externa
d. Serosa
e. Adventitia

Answer: a

The mucosa is the innermost layer of the GI tract. The mucosa consists of a lining epithelium,
lamina propria and muscularis mucosae. Gut associated lymphatic tissue (GALT) is found in
the mucosa and sometimes extends into the submucosa.

3. Which of the following is NOT made of a framework of reticular fibers?

a. Bone marrow
b. Lymph node
c. Spleen
d. Thymus
e. None of the above--all are made of a framework of reticular fibers.

Answer: d

Bone marrow, lymph nodes, the spleen and the thymus are all part of the lymphatic system.
Most lymphatic organs are made of a framework of reticular fibers and reticular cells. However,
the thymus is made of epithelioreticular cells instead.
4. What is the acronym for the diffuse lymphatic tissue found in the intestinal tract?

a. BALT
b. DALT
c. FALT
d. GALT
e. HALT

Answer: d

Diffuse lymphatic tissue is non-encapsulated lymphatic tissue. It is found in the

gastrointestinal tract, the genito-urinary tract, and the respiratory tract. In the gastrointestinal
tract it is referred to as GALT (gut associated lymphatic tissue). In the respiratory tract it is
referred to as BALT (bronchi associated lymphatic tissue).

5. What is another name for a splenic nodule?

a. Malpighian corpuscle
b. Trabeculae
c. White pulp
d. Red pulp
e. Cords of Billroth

Answer: a

The spleen has a connective tissue capsule. The invaginations of the capsule into the splenic
parenchyma are trabeculae. The parenchyma of the spleen can be divided into the white pulp
and the red pulp. The white pulp of the spleen is the lymphatic portion of the spleen. Within the
white pulp, splenic nodules are found. Splenic nodules are also called Malpighian
corpuscles. The red pulp is made up of the splenic sinuses and splenic cords. The splenic
cords are also called the cords of Billroth.

6. What is the term for the entire lymphatic region of the spleen?

a. Malpighian corpuscle
b. Trabeculae
c. White pulp
d. Red pulp
e. Cords of Billroth

Answer: c

The spleen has a connective tissue capsule. The invaginations of the capsule into the splenic
parenchyma are trabeculae. The parenchyma of the spleen can be divided into the white pulp
and the red pulp. The white pulp of the spleen is the lymphatic portion of the spleen. Within the
white pulp, splenic nodules are found. Splenic nodules are also called Malpighian
corpuscles. The red pulp is made up of the splenic sinuses and splenic cords. The splenic
cords are also called the cords of Billroth.

7. Which of the following is NOT a function of the spleen?

a. Destruction of red blood cells

b. Lymphocyte production
c. Storage of blood
d. Fetal blood cell formation
e. All of the above are functions of the spleen

Answer: e

The spleen is involved in destruction of old or damaged red blood cells. Storage of blood occurs
in the spleen. In the fetus, the spleen is involved in blood cell formation. Lymphocyte and
antibody production occurs in the spleen.

8. When looking at a lymph node, where are lymphatic nodules?

a. Deep cortex
b. Tertiary cortex
c. Juxtamedullary cortex
d. Paracortical zone
e. Outer cortex

Answer: e

Deep cortex, tertiary cortex, juxtamedullary cortex and paracortical zone are all terms for
the same region in a lymph node. The deep cortex is the inner region of the cortex, next to the
medulla. Lymphatic nodules are not found in the deep cortex. Lymphatic nodules are found in
the outer cortex.

9. Where do T lymphocytes gain their immunocompetence?

a. Thymus
b. Thyroid
c. Bursa of Fabricus
d. Bone marrow
e. Lymph node

Answer: a

T cells gain their immunocompetence in the thymus.

10. What do you call the random distribution of lymphocytes that are found in the respiratory
tract, genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract?

a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue

Answer: e

The localized concentrations of lymphocytes that are seen in the respiratory tract, genitourinary
tract, and gastrointestinal tract are lymph follicles. They are also called lymphatic nodules.
The lymphatic tissue in the spleen is called white pulp. The large aggregates of lymphatic
tissue in the ileum are called Peyer's patches. A lymph node is an encapsulated lymphatic
organ. The random distribution of lymphocytes seen in the lamina propria of the respiratory
tract, genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract is called diffuse lymphatic tissue. Diffuse
lymphatic tissue in not encapsulated.

Part II

1. What is a characteristic of a secondary nodule?

a. Germinal center
b. Lymphocytes
c. Capsule
d. Trabeculae
e. None of the above

Answer: a

A secondary lymphatic nodule is characterized by the presence of a germinal center.

2. Which of the following is composed of epithelioreticular cells?

a. Spleen
b. Thymus
c. Bone marrow
d. Lymph node
e. None of the above

Answer: b

Bone marrow, lymph nodes, the spleen and the thymus are all part of the lymphatic system.
Most lymphatic organs are made of a framework of reticular fibers and reticular cells. However,
the thymus is made of epithelioreticular cells instead.
3. What is the acronym for the diffuse lymphatic tissue in the respiratory tract?

a. BALT
b. DALT
c. FALT
d. GALT
e. HALT

Answer: a

Diffuse lymphatic tissue is non-encapsulated lymphatic tissue. It is found in the

gastrointestinal tract, the genito-urinary tract, and the respiratory tract. In the gastrointestinal
tract it is referred to as GALT (gut associated lymphatic tissue). In the respiratory tract it is
referred to as BALT (bronchi associated lymphatic tissue).

4. What are the localized concentrations of lymphocytes that are seen in the respiratory tract,
genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract?

a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue

Answer: a

The spleen has a connective tissue capsule. The invaginations of the capsule into the splenic
parenchyma are trabeculae. The parenchyma of the spleen can be divided into the white pulp
and the red pulp. The white pulp of the spleen is the lymphatic portion of the spleen. Within the
white pulp, splenic nodules are found. Splenic nodules are also called Malpighian
corpuscles. The red pulp is made up of the splenic sinuses and splenic cords. The splenic
cords are also called the cords of Billroth.

5. What is the lymphatic tissue in the spleen called?

a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue

Answer: b

The lymphatic tissue in the spleen is called white pulp.

6. What are the splenic cords?

a. Cords of Billroth
b. Cords of Paneth
c. Cords of Bellini
d. Cords of Rothchild
e. Cords of Hassall

Answer: a

The splenic cords are also called the cords of Billroth.

7. When looking at the spleen, what are the invaginations of the capsule into the splenic
parenchyma called?

a. Malpighian corpuscle
b. Trabeculae
c. White pulp
d. Red pulp
e. Cords of Billroth

Answer: b

The spleen has a connective tissue capsule. The invaginations of the capsule into the splenic
parenchyma are trabeculae.

8. When looking at a lymph node, which term does not refer to the same region as all the others
listed?

a. Deep cortex
b. Tertiary cortex
c. Outer cortex
d. Juxtamedullary cortex
e. Paracortical zone

Answer: c

Deep cortex, tertiary cortex, juxtamedullary cortex and paracortical zone are all terms for
the same region in a lymph node. The deep cortex is the inner region of the cortex, next to the
medulla. Lymphatic nodules are not found in the deep cortex. Lymphatic nodules are found in
the outer cortex.
9. What are the spherical structures seen in the medulla of the thymus called?

a. Psammoma bodies
b. Corpora arenacea
c. Hassall's corpuscles
d. Prostatic concretions
e. Pacinian corpuscles

Answer: c

Psammoma bodies are collections of calcium. It is derived from the Greek word "psammos",
which means sand. Corpora arenacea refers to the calcifications seen in the pineal gland.
Corpora arenacea is nicknamed "brain sand". Hassall's corpuscles are the ring like structures
found in the thymus. The spherical structures seen in some prostatic alveoli are called
prostatic concretions. Pacinian corpuscles are pressure receptors in the skin.

10. Where are Peyer's patches located?

a. Esophagus
b. Stomach
c. Small intestine
d. Large intestine
e. Rectum

Answer: c

Peyer's patches are large nodules of lymphatic tissue. They are seen in the small intestine.

Part III

1. What are the large aggregates of lymphatic tissue in the ileum?

a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue

Answer: c

The large aggregates of lymphatic tissue in the ileum are called Peyer's patches.
2. Where is diffuse lymphatic tissue NOT found?

a. Gastrointestinal tract
b. Central nervous system
c. Genito-urinary tract
d. Respiratory tract
e. None of the above-diffuse lymphatic tissue is found in all of these regions

Answer: b

Diffuse lymphatic tissue is non-encapsulated lymphatic tissue. It is found in the

gastrointestinal tract, the genito-urinary tract, and the respiratory tract. In the gastrointestinal
tract it is referred to as GALT (gut associated lymphatic tissue). In the respiratory tract it is
referred to as BALT (bronchi associated lymphatic tissue). Diffuse lymphatic tissue is not
found in the central nervous system.

3. Where are the splenic sinuses?

a. Malpighian corpuscle
b. Trabeculae
c. White pulp
d. Red pulp
e. Cords of Billroth

Answer: d

The red pulp is made up of the splenic sinuses and splenic cords.

4. What does the acronym PALS stand for?

a. Papillary layer sinus

b. Peyer's lymphatic sheath
c. Periarterial lymphatic sheath
d. Peripheral lymphatic sinus
e. Parenchymal lymphatic sheath

Answer: c

PALS stands for periarterial lymphatic sheath. Periarterial lymphatic sheaths are the
lymphocytes which surround the central artery in the spleen.
5. Which of the following is an encapsulated lymphatic organ?

a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue

Answer: d

The localized concentrations of lymphocytes that are seen in the respiratory tract, genitourinary
tract, and gastrointestinal tract are lymph follicles. They are also called lymphatic nodules.
The lymphatic tissue in the spleen is called white pulp. The large aggregates of lymphatic
tissue in the ileum are called Peyer's patches. A lymph node is an encapsulated lymphatic
organ. The random distribution of lymphocytes seen in the lamina propria of the respiratory
tract, genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract is called diffuse lymphatic tissue. Diffuse
lymphatic tissue in not encapsulated.

Source: histology-world.com