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Objective
Structure and functions of the primary and

secondary lymphatic organs and lymphatic tissues

LYMPHATIC QRGANS & TISSUES

-Primary lymphatic organs : Thymus, bone marrow - Secondary lymphatic organs & tissues

Spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils,

lymph nodules/MALTs

The distribution of lymphatic organs and vessels

Components lymphatic tissue :

1. Reticular fibers 2. Mesenchymal reticular cells 3. Epithelial reticular cells 4. Lymphocytes : T and B lymphocytes, Plasma cells 5. Macrophages

6. Antigen presenting cells

Immunity reaction :
1. Cellular (cell-mediated) immunity : T lymphocytes 2. Humoral immunity : IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and IgD (antibodies)

Origin of the main type of lymphocytes

THYMUS
The thymus is a central /primary lymphatic organ situated in the mediastinum at about the level of great vessels of the heart. Structure :
Lobe

Lobules :
1. Cortex : small lymphocyte, epithelial reticular cell and blood-thymus barrier.

2. Medulla : - Hassalls corpuscles

- Extend into the core of each of the lobules
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Thymus

Desmosome

Epithelial reticular cell Desmosome

Lymphocytes
Desmosome

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Histogenesis and involution :

Third pharyngeal pouches (endodermal)

Functions :
1. T-lymphocytes production 2. Hormone production : thymopoietin, thymosin 3. Blood-thymus barrier

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LYMPH NODES
Lymph nodes are encapsulated spherical or kidney-shaped organ composed of lymphoid tissue.

Scattered in group along lymphatic vessels in the neck, axilla, groin, thorax and abdomen, they act as in-line filter of the lymph, removing antigen and cellular debris and adding Ig.
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LYMPH NODE (PANORAMIC VIEW)

1. Pericapsular fat and connective tissue 2. Capsule 3. Lymphatic tissue 4. Capsule and afferent lymphatics 5. Cortex 10. Arterioles 11. Efferent lymphatic vessels 12. Hilus

13. Medullary sinuses 14. Medullary cords

6. Medulla
7. Trabeculae 8. Blood vessels in trabeculae 9. Marginal (subcapsular) sinus

15. Cortical nodules (Lymphatic nodules)

16. Marginal (subcapsular) sinus

17. Germinal centers 18. Veins
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Structure : Cortex :
The dark-staining owing to presence of tightly packed lymphocytes.
Secondary lymphoid nodules (containing primarily B lymphocytes) with germinal centers.

Medulla :
Lighter staining than cortex.

Composed of cords of lymphoid tissue

(medullary cord) separated by medullary sinuses.
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Paracortical zone :
This is the T-dependent region, lying between the cortical lymphoid nodules and the medulla. Characteristized by the presence of many high-endothelial post capillary venules.

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 Lymphatic Vessels :
Afferent lymphatic vessels Efferent lymphatic vessels Afferent vessels

subcapsular sinus

peritrabecular sinus medullary sinuses efferent vessels exiting through the hilum
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Function :
- Filtration of lymph - Lymphocyte production (lymphopoiesis) - Immunoglobulin production

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SPLEEN
Spleen, the largest of the lymphoid organ, lies in the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity. It serves as the immunologic filter of the blood.

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SPLEEN
1. Peritoneum and capsule 7. Germinal center 2. Splenic nodules (white pulp)

8. Tangential section of a splenic nodule

9. Central arteries (t.s) in splenic nodules 10. Venous sinuses in the red pulp 11. Trabecular veins 12. Trabeculae (t.s) 13. Sheathed artery 14. Pulp arteries (arterioles)

3. Trabeculae 4. Trabecular artery 5. Splenic cords in the red pulp

6. Central artery (l.s)

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Structure : Splenic pulp :

White pulp - Central artery - Periarterial lymphatic sheaths (PALS) : T dependent region - Peripheral white pulp (PWP) : B lymphocytes Red pulp - Red pulp cords (Billroths) - Splenic sinusoid The marginal zone : - Border between the white and red pulp - Marginal sinuses
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Schematic view of blood circulation of the spleen

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Splenic circulation :
a. Arterial supply : Abdominal aorta Trabecular artery Penicilliar arteriole Splenic artery Central arteries Capillaries and sheeted arterioles sinuses of red pulp

b. Open and closed theories of splenic circulation c. Venous drainage

Sinusoid
Splenic vein

red pulp veins

Trabecular vein

inferior mesenteric vein liver

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Hepatic portal vein

Structure of the red pulp of the spleen

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Functions :
1. Production of blood cells
2. Destruction of erythrocytes 3. Defense of the organism : filter the blood 4. Storage of blood

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TONSILS
This incomplete encapsulated lymphatic aggregates contain many lymphatic nodules. They underlie the mucous membranes (epithelial lining) of oropharynx.

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The palatine tonsil

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MALTs (Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissues)

Lymphatic nodules are scatterred throughout the lamina propria of mucous membrane

exp : Peyers patches

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Now I know
Structure and functions of the primary

lymphatic organs and tissues Structure and functions of the secondary lymphatic organs and tissues

Thank you

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