Dr.

Shehab Hafez
Professor of Histology & Cell Biology
Faculty of Medicine. Taibah University
1. To demonstrate basic knowledge of structure and functions of
erythrocytes.
2. To demonstrate basic knowledge of structure and functions of the
different types of granulocytes.
3. To demonstrate basic knowledge of structure and functions of
lymphocytes & monocytes.
4. To know structure of blood platelets.
5. To demonstrate knowledge of hematopoiesis.
6. To know the different components of the lymphatic system.
7. To know structure and functions of lymph node.
8. To know structure and functions of spleen.
A. Formed elements.

RBCs (Erythrocytes).

WBCs (Leucocytes).

Platelets (Thrombocytrs).
B. Plasma.
A. Shape

B. Size

C. Number

D. Structure
In stained blood smear: biconcave
discs with pale center.

Scanning EM: biconcave discs. This

shape provides a 20% to 30% greater
surface area.

Transmission EM: classic dumbbell

shape (DB).
1. Spherocytosis (biconvex)

2. Sickle-shaped
A. Normal size: 6-9 µm.
B. Abnormal size:
Macrocytic anemia: ˃ 9 µm.
Microcytic anemia: ˂ 6 µm.

Normal number:
 In males: 5-5.5 million/mm³.
 In females: 4.5-5 million/mm³.
The erythrocyte is highly adapted for its principal function of oxygen
and carbon dioxide transport
Flexible cell membrane: with a supporting cytoskeleton. This
flexibility → easy change in shape of RBCs→ easy passage through
capillaries.
No nucleus or cell organoids.
 Reticulocytes:
 1% of total RBCs in the peripheral blood.
 Have a reticulum of ribosomal RNA in the center.
The RBC contains:
1. Hemoglobin molecules.
2. Enzymes of anaerobic glucose metabolism (source of energy).

Life span of RBC: (120 days): worn out RBCs are destroyed by
macrophages of spleen & bone marrow.
Reticulocytes
 1% of total RBCs in the peripheral blood.
 Have a reticulum of ribosomal RNA in the center.
 Normal number: 4,000-11,000/ mm³
Abnormal number:
 Leucocytosis: ˃11000
 Leucopenia: ˂4000
Classification:

A. Granular leucocytes B. Non Granular leucocytes

1.Neutrophils 1.Lymphocytes
2.Eosinophils. 2.Monocytes
3.Basophils

Depending on the presence or absence of specific granules

1. Percentage.

2. Size.

3. Nucleus.

4. Cytoplasmic
granules.

5. Functions.
 Percentage: 60-75% of total WBCs.
Size: 10-15 µm.
Nucleus: Single & segmented (2-5 segments).
Cytoplasm: 3 types of granules:
1. Specific granules: bactericidal & bacteriostatic
substances.
2. Non- specific (azurophilic): lysosomes.
3. Glycogen.

N.B.
 Life span of all granular leucocytes: few
days.
 Cells die by apoptosis in the C.T. &
debris are removed by macrophages.
Defense against infection by
microorganisms:
 They migrate to site of
infection and phagocytose the
microorganism (microphages).
 Both specific & non specific
granules kill & digest the
organism.

Neutrophilia: (↑ above 75%).

1. In acute pyogenic infections e.g. tonsilitis and appendicitis.
Neutropenia: (↓ below 60%).
1. In chronic infections e.g. typhoid fever.
2. T.B.
Percentage: 2-5% of total WBCs.
Size: 10-15 µm.
Nucleus: Bilobed (horse shoe-shaped).
Cytoplasm: large acidophilic granules:
 Anti-allergic action (antihistaminic & can
phagocytose antigen-antibody complex).
 Antiparasitic action (e.g. anti- Bilharziasis).

Eosinophilia: (↑ above 5%).

 Allergic conditions.
 Parasitic diseases (bilharziasis).
Percentage: less than 1% of total WBCs.
Size: 10-15 µm.
Nucleus: Large and irregular.
Cytoplasm:
Contains large basophilic granules:
similar to the granules of mast cells in
 Contain heparin & histamine.
 Metachromatic in staining.

Functions:
 Supplement function of mast cells in
immediate hypersensitivity reaction
(release histamine & heparin in response
to antigens).
 Percentage: 25-30% of total WBCs.
Size:
1. Small: 4-7µm.
2. Medium-sized: 7-10 µm.
3. Large: 10-15 µm.
Nucleus: dark with condensed chromatin.
Cytoplasm: little, contains non-specific granules only.
Types of lymphocytes
1. B- lymphocytes.
2. T-lymphocytes.
3. Natural killer cells.
 Life span of lymphocytes: vary from few days to few years.
 Lymphocytes are the only type of leukocyte that can leave blood to
tissues & return back.
Development: Bone marrow.

Morphology: same as T-lymphocytes. Can be distinguished only by

immunocytochemical methods (that detect surface markers).

Percentage: less than 20% of lymphocytes in the blood stream.

Functions: (Humoral immunity): when activated by antigen (this

needs T-helper cells)→will be transformed into:
 Plasma cells→ secrete antibodies.

 B-memory cells.
 Development: Starts development in the bone marrow & becomes
mature in the Thymus.
Percentage:70% of small lymphocytes in the blood stream.
Subtypes:
1. Cytotoxic T-cells.
2. T memory cells.
3. T helper cells.
4. Lymphokines secreting cells.

Natural killer cells

 Lack the markers of T or B cells.
 10-15% of circulating lymphocytes.
 Function: (innate immune response): attack virus infected cells,
transplanted cells and cancer cells.
Percentage: 3-8% of total WBCs.

Size: 12-20 µm.

Nucleus: large, pale & kidney-shaped.

Cytoplasm:
 Abundant and contains numerous non-
specific granules.
 Many microvilli & pinocytotic vesicles.

Function:
 Gives origin of macrophages.
Shape: oval or rounded discs, not true cells.
Size: 2-4 µm.
Number: 150,000-400,000/ mm3.
Origin: from megakaryocytes in red bone
marrow.
Life span: 10 days.
Cytoplasm:
 Outer pale part (Hyalomere).
 Inner dark part (Granulomere) which
contains:
1. Alpha granules (fibrinogen).
2. Beta granules (mitochondria).
3. Delta (δ) granules: (serotonin, ATP,
ADP & calcium ions).
4. Lambda (λ) granules: (lysosomes).
Hematopoiesis
Definition: blood cells have a limited life span. They are continuously
replaced by differentiation and maturation of stem cells in the
hematopoietic organs.
Sites of hematopoiesis
Age Site
Fetus: 0-2 months Yolk sac
2-5 months Liver, spleen
5-9 months Bone marrow
Infants Bone marrow, particularly all bones.
Adults Vertebrae, ribs, sternum, sacrum, pelvic
bones, proximal ends of femur.

All blood cells are derived from Pluripotential Hematopoietic

stem cell (HSC)
 Pluripotential Hematopoietic
stem cell (HSC)

Myeloid stem cell Lymphoid stem cell

 Granulocytes  B- lymphocytes.
(neutrophils, eosinophils,  T-lymphocytes.
basophils).  Natural killer cells.
 Monocytes.
 Erythrocytes (RBCs).
 Megakaryocytes
(platelets).
 Nucleus Cytoplasm

Proerythroblast Active Basophilic

Basophilic erythroblast Less active Basophilic

Polychromatophilic Condensed Basophilia and acidophilia

erythroblast
Orthochromatophilic More condensed Acidophilic and little basophilia
erythroblast
Reticulocyte Extruded (no nucleus) Acidophilic with a reticulum of
ribosomal RNA

Mature erythrocyte No nucleus Acidophilic with a pale center

Lymphatic system
1. Cells of the immune system.
2. Lymphatic organs
a. Primary lymphatic Organs:
Thymus gland.
Bone marrow.
b. Secondary lymphatic Organs:
Non-capulated nodules.
Lymph nodes.
Spleen.
Tonsils.
3. Lymphatic vessels:
Capillaries.
Small & large lymph. Vessels.
Structure:

Stroma
Capsule.
Trabeculae.
(Both are formed of dense fibrous C.
T. with no smooth muscles).
Reticular network.
 Regular Lymphatic follicles.
 Cortical Lymphatic sinuses.

 Irregular medullary cords.

 Medullary Lymphatic
sinuses.
Cortical lymphatic follicles
May be primary or secondary.
Structure: non-capsulated lymphatic
follicle:
 More B- and few T-lymphocytes.
 Macrophages.

Medullary cords:
Similar to lymphatic follicles.
Contain more plasma cells.

T-lymphocytes: In the connection between cortex & medulla

(paracortex OR thymus-dependent zone).
Definition: spaces lined by
endothelial cells surrounding cortical
nodules & medullary cords.

Contents:
 Lymphatic fluid.
 Macrophages.
 Some lymphocytes.

Functions:
 Filtration of lymph passing from
afferent to efferent lymphatic
vessels.
 By macrophages in the lymph. sinuses.

 Cell mediated: by T lymphocytes in thymus dependent zone.

 Humoral: by B lymphocytes and plasma cells.
Stroma:
Capsule: dense fibrous C.T. with
smooth muscles.
Septa (trabeculae):
 dense fibrous C.T. with smooth
muscles.
 Divide spleen into incomplete
lobules.
Network of reticular cells & fibres.
White pulp
Site: scattered all over the spleen.
Structure:
 Non-capsulated lymphatic follicle.
 Central artery: eccentric in
position.
 C

C
 C

C
1. Blood sinusoids
Wide & irregular blood channels.
Lined by longitudinal endothelial cells.
Cells are separated by longitudinal
spaces.
Macrophages (Littoral cells): surround
the sinusoids.
2. Splenic cords
Irregular masses of cells.
The masses of cells include:
1. Diffuse lymphocytes.
2. RBCs.
3. All types of leucocytes.
4. Macrophages.

Thymus dependent zone of spleen:

Periarterial lymphatic sheath (PALS):
surround the central artery.
Contains T-lymphocytes.
1. Immunological function:
It contains B-, T-lymphocytes and macrophages.
The white pulp is an important production site of lymphocytes→ blood
sinusoids→ general circulation.
2. Role of spleen in haematopoiesis (destruction of old RBCs):
Old RBCs are destroyed mainly in spleen-
and also in bone marrow.
Splenic macrophages phagocytose and
digest outdated RBCs.
Splenectomy results in:
 Increased number of old & deformed
RBCs.
 In this case, the liver takes over
some of the functions of the spleen.
Junqueira LC, Carneiro J: Basic Histology. Text and Atlas, 13 th edition
(2013), LANGE Mc Graw Hill. PP: 234-261, 276-287.