Histology

Lymphatic System
Part (1)

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 Lymphatic System
 The lymphatic system consists of:
A. The lymph B. lymph C. lymphoid organs
vessels
protein-rich fluid large irregular they are classified into two
collected from channels which categories:
the intercellular carry the lymph I. Primary lymphoid organs
spaces II. secondary lymphoid organs
Primary lymphoid organs Secondary lymphoid organs
1. The bone marrow and thymus. 1. Include: 1-Lymph nodes. 2- Spleen.
2. Responsible for development and 3- Mucosa-associated lymphoid
maturation of lymphocytes. tissue (MALT), including :
3. All lymphocytes originate from the Tonsils, Peyer's patches of the ileum
bone marrow. and Appendix
4. T-lymphocytes undergo further 2. Responsible for providing the
maturation in the thymus, whereas proper environment in which
B- lymphocytes leave the bone lymphoid cells can elicit an
marrow as mature cells Immunological response against
antigens or pathogens.

Lymph nodes
 are kidney-shaped bodies
 located along the course of the lymphatic vessels, mainly present in the
groin, axilla and along blood vessels
 indented at one side, the hilum where:
- Arteries and nerves enter the lymph node.
- Veins and efferent lymph vessels leave the lymph node.

Cortex

Cortical sinus
Stroma
Medulla

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 Histological structure of lymph node
 In cut section, each lymph node is formed of outer dense cortex and inner pale medulla.
 Histologically, lymph node is formed of:
i. The Stroma
Connective tissue capsule and CT septa Reticular connective The stromal cells
(trabeculae) tissue
 In the cortex Network holding the 1. Follicular dendritic cells (antigen-
The capsule sends many perpendicular parenchymal cells and the presenting cells).
trabeculae (septa) that divide it into several lymph sinuses. 2. Macrophages (remove harmful
compartments. macromolecules from lymph by
 In the medulla phagocytosis).
The trabeculae are branching and
anastomosing with each other.
ii. The Parenchyma
A. Cortex:
it is the peripheral highly-cellular area of the lymph node and can be divided into two regions:
1. The outer cortex situated under the capsule consists of:
A. The cortical lymphoid nodules (lymphoid follicles)
1. Rounded or oval in shape, located 3. When activated by an antigen, the B cells at the center of the nodules
within the cortical compartments. develop into larger lymphoblasts forming a pale germinal center.
2. Each nodule is formed of dense  So, the lymphoid nodule is either primary (without germinal center) or
population of B lymphocytes and secondary (with germinal center).
macrophages.  The result of germinal center proliferation is the production of B memory
cells and plasma cells.
 B. Subcapsular lymph sinuses C. Cortical lymph sinuses
 located between the capsule and the lymphoid nodules  Run between the cortical lymphoid nodules.
2. The inner cortex (thymus-dependent zone) (the paracortex):
 It consists mainly of T lymphocytes (migrated from the thymus) which are not arranged as nodules.
B. Medulla
 It is the central less cellular area of the lymph node. It is formed of:
1. Medullary cords 2. Medullary lymph sinuses
In the form of many wavy columns of densely-packed They branch and anastomose between the medullary cords.
plasma cells
C. The loose lymphatic tissue:
It is formed of loosely-scattered lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages surrounding the dense cortical lymphoid
nodules and medullary cords.

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 Lymph circulation in the lymph node:
In Cortex :
1. Afferent lymphatic vessels cross the capsule and pour lymph into the
subcapsular sinuses.
2. Lymph is drained to cortical sinuses then into medullary sinuses in the
medulla.
In the medulla:
The medullary sinuses converge towards the hilum where they drain lymph
into the efferent lymphatic vessel.

Function of the lymph node:

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