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MEDI112 Introduction to Anatomy &

Physiology II

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM 2

MARIEB AND HOEHN CHAPTER 20

A/Prof Todd Mitchell

toddm@uow.edu.au
 Lymphatics
• Two functionally different systems that structurally overlap:
1. Lymphatic system: returns fluids that leak from vascular
system back to the blood
• Consists of three parts:
1. A network of lymphatic vessels
2. Lymph: clear watery fluid inside lymph vessels
3. Lymph nodes: filter / cleans passing lymph
2. Lymphoid organs and tissues: structural basis of immune
system
• Defense and disease resistance mechanisms e.g., house
defense cells
• Consists of:
– Spleen, thymus, tonsils and lymphoid tissue scattered
through body, together with lymph nodes 2
 Lymphoid Cells
• Lymphocytes the main warriors of the immune system
– (you will covered this in more detail during immune lectures)
– Two main varieties: T cells (T lymphocytes), B cells (B lymphocytes)
• T cells and B cells protect against antigens
– Anything the body perceives as foreign
– Bacteria and their toxins; viruses
– Mismatched RBCs or cancer cells
• B cells
– Produce plasma cells, which secrete antibodies
• T cells
– Control / manage the immune response by secreting
chemicals that signal other immune cells into defense, e.g.,
multiplication of B cells
– Attack and destroy foreign cells:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V16uxMBrNfs 3
 Lymphoid Tissue
• Important component of immune system:
– Houses and provides a proliferation site for
lymphocytes
– Furnishes a surveillance
vantage point
• Mainly comprised of
loose connective tissue
called reticular
connective tissue

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 Lymphoid Tissue
• Two main types
1. Diffuse lymphatic tissue: scattered reticular fibres in every body
organ

2. Lymphatic follicles: (nodules)

are solid, spherical bodies of
tightly packed reticular fibres
and lymphoid cells
• Germinal center: composed
of B cells 5
 Lymph Nodes
• Principal lymphoid organs of the body
• Embedded in connective tissue, in clusters along lymphatic
vessels
• Large clusters
near the body
surface in
inguinal, axillary,
and cervical
regions

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Figure 20.2a
 Lymph Nodes
• Functions
1. Filter lymph—macrophages destroy microorganisms and
debris
2. Immune system— lymphocytes are activated and mount
an attack against antigens
• Structure
– Bean shaped
– External fibrous capsule
– Trabeculae extend inward
and divide the node into
compartments
– Two histologically distinct
regions
• Cortex
7 • Medulla
 Structure of a Lymph Node
• Cortex contains dendritic cells surrounding follicles with
germinal centers, heavy with dividing B cells
• Deeper cortex houses
T cells as they circulate
continuously among the
blood vessels, lymph
nodes and lymphatic stream
surveying for antigens

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 Structure of a Lymph Node
• Medulla (cords
and sinuses)
– Contain B
Follicles
cells, T cells,
Trabecula
and plasma
cells
Subcapsular sinus
• Lymph sinus
(subcapsular)
contains
macrophages Capsule

• Swollen glands:
pathogen build-
up, proliferation Medullary cords
of WBC
Medullary sinuses
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(b) Photomicrograph of part of a lymph node (72x) Figure 20.4b
 Circulation in the Lymph Nodes
• Lymph enters via afferent lymphatic vessels
– Travels through large subcapsular sinus and smaller sinuses
– Exits the node via efferent vessels
• Fewer efferent
vessels,
causing flow of
lymph to
stagnate,
allowing
lymphocytes
and
macrophages
time to carry
out functions
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 Spleen
• Largest lymphoid organ (~ size
of fist), located left side of abdominal
cavity, inferior to diaphragm
• Served by splenic artery and vein,
which enter and exit at the hilus Figure 20.6c

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Figure 20.6c
 Spleen
• Functions
• Site of lymphocyte proliferation and immune surveillance and
response
• Contains lymphocytes, macrophages, and huge numbers of
erythrocytes
• Cleanses the blood of aged
cells and platelets and
debris
• Stores breakdown products
of RBCs (e.g., iron) for later
reuse
• Stores blood platelets
• Site of fetal erythrocyte
production (normally
ceases after birth) 12
 Structure of the Spleen
• Has a fibrous capsule and trabeculae
• Two distinct areas
– White pulp around central arteries
• Lymphocytes on reticular fibers and involved in immune functions
– Red pulp “anything that isn’t white pulp”. Consists of splenic cords
(reticular connective tissue) that surround venous sinuses
• Rich in macrophages for disposal of worn-out RBCs and blood-
borne pathogens

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Figure 20.6a,b
 Tonsils
• Form a ring of lymphatic tissue around the pharynx
– Palatine tonsils—at
posterior end of the
oral cavity (paired)
– Lingual tonsils—
grouped at the base of
the tongue (paired but
joined)
– Pharyngeal tonsil—in
posterior wall of the
nasopharynx
– Tubal tonsils—
surrounding the
openings of the
auditory tubes into the
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pharynx (paired)
 Pharyngeal tonsil Tonsils
Palatine tonsil
• Contain follicles with
Lingual tonsil germinal centers
• Epithelial tissue overlying
tonsil forms tonsillar
crypts
Tonsil • Crypts trap and destroy
bacteria and particulate
matter

Tonsillar crypt

Germinal centers
in lymphoid follicles

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Figure 20.8
Thymus
• Bilobed
• Inferior neck, superior
thorax
• Site for T lymphocyte
maturation
– Does not fight
antigens
– Blood-thymus barrier
prevents antigens
entering thymus
• Prevents
premature
activation
• Starts to atrophy after
puberty
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