Lymphoid organs

Histology
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Lymphatic system?
System which carries the tissue fluid back in to circulation
Fluid = called LYMPH
Formation: Smallest lymphatic vessels are lymphatic
capillaries. They unite to form larger lymphatic vessels (e.g.
(thoracic duct) which drains into the veins.
All along the course of the lymphatics there are bean shaped
structures called lymph nodes.
Functions: Filtration of bacteria and other particulate matter
from the body
Lymph nodes-Aggregation of lymphoid tissue, seen in groups
 Lymph Capillaries
Lymph capillaries begin blindly in tissues where they form a

network. The structure of lymph capillaries is similar to that

of blood capillaries.

As compared to the blood capillaries, much larger molecules

can pass through the walls of lymph capillaries. These

include fat droplets and particulate matter such as bacteria.

 Structure of larger Lymph Vessels

The structure of the thoracic duct and of the other larger

lymph vessels is similar to that of vein.

Numerous valves are present, give it a beaded

appearance.
 Classification
• PRIMARY LYMPHOID ORGANS (Central
lymphoid organs): Sites of lymphocye maturation
- In Most Mammals: bone marrow & thymus
In rabbits - Peyer's Patches and appendix
In sheep & cattle - Peyers Patches and other
Gut Associated Primary Lymphoid Tissue
In Birds - Bursa of Fabricius
• SECONDARY LYMPHOID ORGANS (peripheral
lymphoid organs):Sites where lymphocytes
encounter antigen and interact with other cells of
the immune system.
- spleen, lymph node & tonsils
 Lymphoid nodules (follicles)
• Functional subunits in all lymphoid organs
EXCEPT Thymus
• Spherical collections of lymphocytes.
• Primary nodules – lack germinal centers
and contain only small lymphocytes
• Secondary nodules – appear after birth,
size and number are proportionate to the
degree of antigenic stimulation
 Structure of lymphoid follicle
• Have a narrow , dark staining halo of small
lymphocytes surrounding a larger, lighter
staining germinal center that contains
lymphoblasts
Thymus
Produces ‘T’ lymphocytes
Has 2 lobes - Right and left lobes
Lobes are joined together by a fibrous tissue
Structure:
Lobes are surrounded by a capsule made of connective tissue
Connective tissue septa extend from the capsule into the lobes
These divide the lobes incompletely into lobules
Each lobule has peripheral darker cortex and central lighter
medulla
• Septa are partial and do not extend into the medulla because
of this medulla of one lobule is continuous with that of other
lobule
• Thymus contains 2 types of cells – thymic lymphocytes and
epithelial reticular cells
• Reticular cells: are quite abundant. Their cytoplasm is
eosinophilic, and their large, ovoid and light nuclei may
contain one or two nucleoli. The cells are branched, and their
slender processes are connected with the processes of other
reticular cells to form a cellular reticulum (or cellular network).
This cellular network (reticular fibres are scant in the thymus)
provides support for other cells of the thymus.
• Thus form structural framework
• Thymic lymphocytes:
• are present in both cortex and medulla,
but are more numerous (denser) in the
cortex. Their sizes are variable (5 - 15 µm)
in the cortex but generally small in the
medulla. The vast majority of them will be
developing T-lymphocytes
Lymphocytes formed in the cortex move into the medulla
These lymphocytes get into the blood stream and lymphatics
Medulla is more vascular than cortex
Medulla contains rounded structures called Hassall’s corpuscles
 HASSALL CORPUSCLES
Another age-related phenomenon is the increase in
size of the thymic (or Hassall's) corpuscles. Thymic
corpuscles are rounded eosinophilic structures,
which consist of concentrically arranged, flattened
cells. Thymic corpuscles are likely to be formed by
reticular cells. Similar structures occur also in the
tonsils. The size of these structures varies from 20
µm to more than 100 µm in diameter. Thymic
corpuscles may calcify, and their core may
"dissolve" leading to the formation of a cyst.
THYMUS
Small number of lymphoid tissue is seen in other parts of the
body called the Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)
Features
Lymphoid tissue are seen in close relationship to the lining of
the epithelium
Don’t have afferent lymph vessels nor lymph sinuses.
In the Respiratory tract- wall of trachea, large bronchi
In the Alimentary tract - All along the length- solitary lymphatic
follicles, aggregated lymphatic follicles or payer’s patches
Junction of the oral cavity – tonsils (e.g. pharyngeal tonsil,
palatine tonsil)
 THYMUS
• Stained with
haematoxylin
and eosin
2
• 1 - lobules
2 - interlobular
1 connective
tissue
• THYMUS
Stained with
haematoxylin
and eosin
• 1 - lobules
2 - interlobular
connective tissue
(septa)
3 - cortex
4 - medulla 3

4
• THYMUS (lobule)

• Stained with
haematoxylin and
1
eosin
• 1 - cortex
2 - medulla
3 - Hassall's 2
corpuscle
4 - interlobular
connective tissue
(septa)

3 4
 THYMUS (Hassal's corpuscle)

• Stained with
haematoxylin 1
and eosin
• 1 - Hasal's
corpuscle
2 - medulla
3 - cortex 3
1
2
Hassl’s corpuscle
Spleen
Largest lymphoid organ
Contains large amount of lymphatic tissue which filters blood
instead of lymph
Spleen is surrounded by a connective tissue capsule
Outer surface of capsule is covered by visceral peritoneum
made up of one layer of flat cells
Septa or trabeculae extend from the capsule into the substance
of spleen
Trabeculae are made up of reticular, elastic and collagenous
fibres
These run in various directions and become continuous with
reticular framework of the organ
• Interior of the spleen has 2 parts – white pulp and red
pulp
• White pulp:
• Consists of lymphatic tissue which forms sheaths around
the arterioles
• In the microscopic sections it is seen in the form of
lymphatic nodules with an eccentric arteriole
• These are known as splenic or Malpighian corpuslces
• Their peripheral part contains small lymphocytes, central
part contains has large lymphocytes and plasma cells
• Red pulp:
• A loose framework of reticular fibres forms the
foundation of red pulp
• In the meshes of this framework are many lymphocytes,
free macrophages and blood cells e.g. red blood cells,
neutorphils and monocytes
• Also contains venous sinusoids
SPLEEN
SPLEEN
Circulation through spleen:
Splenic artery divides into branches and these enter the spleen
at the hilum of spleen
All run in the trabeculae and are named trabecular arteries
These branch and form arterioles
Arterioles arising from trabecular arteries leave the trabeculae
These arterioles are surrounded by lymphocytes
The lymphocytes surrounding the arterioles form the white pulp
Arterioles then enter the red pulp and divide into straight
vessels called the penicilli
These pencilli are later surrounded by reticular cells and
macrophages, and now these are called as ellipsoids
Ellipsoids continue with capillaries
Capillaries are continuous with venous sinusoids
Which form veins
 Theories of Circulation of blood
through the spleen
Splenic artery divides into –Trabecular branches, Arterioles,
follicular branches, Ellipsoids which lead to capillaries.
Closed theory—capillaries are continuous with venous
sinusoids –blood flows in a system of closed tubes.
Open theory—capillaries open into the red pulp & blood re-
enters the circulation through the walls of the sinusoids.
Compromise theory—Circulation is of closed type when the
spleen is contracted & open type when the spleen is relaxed
 SPLEEN

• Stained with
1
haematoxylin and
eosin 1 - lymphoid
follicle (white pulp)
2 - red pulp 2 4
3
3 - capsule
4 - trabeculae
1
(connective tissue) 2
 SPLEEN (follicle)
• Stained with
haematoxylin and eosin
• 1 - germinal center of
the follicle
2 - mantle zone of the PWP
follicle 7
3 - marginal zone of the 2 1
follicle
4 - periarterial area of 3
the follicle 6
5 - central arteriole
6 - red pulp 4
PALS
7 - trabeculae
 Spleen
• Red Pulp- Network of sinusoids
populated with macrophages
and numerous erythrocytes.
Site where old RBCs are
destroyed and removed.
• White Pulp- Surrounds the
splenic arteries, forming a
periarteriolar lymphoid sheath
(PALS) populated mainly by T
lymphocytes. Clusters of B
lymphocytes in the White Pulp
form primary follicles occupying
a more peripheral position.
Upon antigenic challenge, these
primary follicles develop into
characteristic secondary follicles
containing germinal centers.
 Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small bean-
shaped structures that are
interposed in the path of lymph
vessels to serve as filters for the
removal of bacteria and other
foreign substances.
Several lymph vessels enter
(afferents) the node on its
convex aspect and a single
lymph vessel leaves (efferent)
the node through its hilum with
blood capillaries.
 Lymph Node
• Lymph node has an outer zone called cortex and inner region called
medulla

• Cortex has densely packed lymphocytes and stains darkly , there is a

lighter staining zone in which lymphocytes are fewer, this area is the
medulla

• Within the cortex there are rounded areas called lymphatic nodules
which has a paler staining germinal centre with lymphoblasts,
surrounded by a darker staining zone of densely packed lymphocytes

• In the medulla lymphocytes are arranged in the form of branching and

anastomosing cords- medullary cords
• Lymph nodes are covered by thick fibrous capsule
• From the capsule septa pass into the lymph node & divide
the node into lobules
• Structural or supporting framework of lymph nodes is
formed by a network of fine collagen fibers in the meshes of
which cells are entangled
• Lymph sinuses are the areas where cells are less & lymph
can easily flow
• Deep to the capsule – subcapsular sinus
• Around the septa – Peritrabecular sinus
• Medullary sinuses are between the medullary cords
• Medullary sinuses which lead to efferents
The cells of lymph nodes
Lymphocytes
Immature cells are the lymphoblasts which divide to form the
lymphocytes
Both B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes are present
The cells in the paler germinal centers are lymphoblasts
After antigen stimulation they enlarge and undergo
multiplication.
The lymphocytes divide repeatedly and give rise to more B-
lymphocytes aggregations of which form the dark staining
rims around the germinal centers.
LYMPH NODE
 LYMPH NODE
• Stained with
haematoxylin
and eosin
• 1 - cortex 2
2 - paracortical
zone 3
3 - medulla
4 - medullary
cords
5 - lymphoid 2 2
follicle of the
cortex
6 - capsule
6 4
 LYMPH NODE
Stained with haematoxylin and eosin
• 1 - cortex 6
7
2 - paracortical
zone
3 - medulla
4 - medullary 5 8
cords 2
5 - lymphoid
follicle of the
cortex 9
6 - capsule
7 - subcapsular 3
sinus
8 - trabecular
sinus
9 - medullary sinus

4
• Palatine tonsil
• Present in the lateral wall of oropharynx
• Lateral surface is covered by the capsule
• Medial surface is covered by the stratified squamous epithelium
• 2 to 15 depressions on the medial surface lead to crypts which are lined
by stratified squamous epithilium
• Structural framework is formed by a fine network of collagen fibers
• Lymphocytes lie beneath the epithelium and on the sides of the crypts
• Lymphocytes ate collected to form lymphatic nodules
• Germinal centre may or may not be present
• Mucous acini are situated in the deeper parts, their ducts open on the
sides of crypts
• No lymph sinuses or no afferent lymph vessels
PALATINE TONSIL
 Palatine tonsil
1 - lymphoid follicle
2 - diffuse lymphoid
tissue 4
3 - crypt 5
4 – stratified
squamous 1
2
epithelium non
keratinized of the 3
oral cavity
mucosa
5 - submucosa of the
inner cover of oral
cavity forms
hemi-capsule
of the tonsil
 Distinguishing features
Key Features Thymus Lymph Spleen Tonsils
nodes

Cortex & Yes Yes No No

medulla (red & white
pulp)

Lymphoid No Yes Yes yes

nodules
Cords & No Yes Yes No
sinuses
Unique Hassall’s Cortical Central Stratified
corpuscles nodules, arteriole & squamous
structures subcapsular epithelium of
PALS
sinuses oral mucosa
MALT
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