Laboratory Exercise - Lymphatics

Exercise No.
11: Lymphatic System
Learning objectives
Know the structure and function of the lymphoid tissues and organs: (including afferent and
efferent flow and specialized vasculature)
 tonsil
 diffuse lymphatic tissue and lymph nodules
 lymph nodes
 thymus
 spleen
Components of the Lymphatic System

Lymphoid tissue is not one of the primary or basic tissue types of the body but is a variety of
connective tissue or, in the case of the thymus, epithelial tissue. Lymphoid tissue is divided into
central and peripheral types, which are either encapsulated or unencapsulated.
Central lymphoid tissue includes the thymus (encapsulated) and bone marrow (Bursal
equivalent), which are the sites where development takes place. In the thymus, T cells; and in the
bone marrow, B cells (as well as monocytes, erythrocytes, granulocytes and megakaryocytes).
Peripheral lymphoid tissue includes:
1. diffuse lymphatic tissue: accumulations of unencapsulated lymphocytes in the lamina of

various organs, which have a constant close relationship to an epithelium including the tonsils,
gut, respiratory tract, etc.
2. lymph nodes (encapsulated): the only lymphatic organs that are interposed in the course of
lymphatic vessels. They possess both afferent and efferent lymphatics.
3. lymphatic tissue of the spleen (encapsulated), which is interposed in the blood circulation.
Lymphatic vessels form an alternative channel by means of which the following are removed
from the connective tissue spaces: fluid, particulate matter, protein that escapes from blood
capillaries, ingested fats absorbed across the intestinal surface, disease microorganisms, other
antigenic material which may penetrate the skin and other protective surfaces, and cells both
normal and cancerous. This proteinaceous fluid, variably rich in particles and cells, is termed
lymph and is filtered and cleansed in lymph nodes before being returned via the thoracic duct
and the right lymphatic duct to the circulating blood in the great veins.
Tissue in focus: PALATINE TONSILS
The lymphatic tissue of the tonsillar ring, which is located near the entrance of the throat and
which consists of the palatine tonsil (commonly known as "the tonsil"), the pharyngeal tonsil
(commonly known as "adenoids"), and the lingual tonsil (on the posterior surface of the tongue).
These are unencapsulated lymphatic tissue.
With the scanning objective, notice the stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium covering
the free oropharyngeal surface of the tonsil. In the underlying lamina propria, identify simple and
branched epithelial crypts, sectioned in different planes and representing tubular invaginations of
the surface epithelium. The lining epithelium of the crypts may show evidence of keratinization
or erosion and can be obscured when heavily infiltrated with lymphocytes. The lumen of some
crypts may be seen to contain large numbers of lymphocytes, desquamated epithelial cells and
cellular debris. Between the crypts identify the masses of lymphoid tissue containing numerous
individual lymphoid nodules. Some of the nodules may merge. Some nodules contain a large
pale-staining germinal center. These are secondary nodules. Identify the connective tissue septa
that extend at intervals between the crypts and divide the tonsil into lobules, each with an
individual crypt as an axis. At one side of the section in the submucosa, note the presence of a
pure mucous gland.
Tissue in focus: SPLEEN
The spleen is comprised of red pulp and white pulp. The red pulp is the site of blood filtration
and the white pulp is lymphoid tissue that responds to blood-borne antigens. Identify under low
power some of the structures that are diagnostic of the organ. There is a dense connective tissue
capsule that sends conspicuous trabeculae to partially subdivide the organ. Whereas the
trabeculae derived from the capsule contain no vascular structures, those originating from the
hilar region (which is not present in this section) carry a trabecular branch of the splenic artery
and/or a trabecular tributary to the splenic vein. All the trabeculae contain some smooth muscle
fibers. Unlike the thymus and lymph nodes, the spleen lacks division into cortex and medulla.
Lymphatic nodules with or without germinal centers and with prominent eccentric central
arterioles (called "central arteries") may be observed randomly distributed throughout the splenic
pulp. These nodules together with areas of dense lymphatic tissue surrounding central arterioles,
called the periarterial lymphatic sheaths (PALS), comprise the splenic white pulp. This
lymphatic sheath is made up of T cells. Following stimulation, germinal centers containing B
cells can be formed adjacent to the PALS, placing the "central arteriole" in an eccentric position.
Look for the penicilli (short, straight arterioles that branch from the central artery and enter the
red pulp). These penicilli branch into capillaries surrounded by accumulations of reticular cells
and macrophages and known as "ellipsoids" (or "sheathed capillaries").
Between the white pulp and the red pulp is the marginal zone, a vascular region that is devoid of
sinuses. It contains blood cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, and reticular cells. The region is the
site of immunological activities due to the presence of numerous blood antigens.
The remainder of the spleen consists of red pulp and is composed of sinusoids (modified blood
vessels) and splenic cords (of Billroth). The latter are cellular regions organized as plates of
loose lymphatic tissue separating the sinusoids. It is not always possible to distinguish Billroth
cords from the sinusoids easily, as is evident in this preparation where the sinusoids are partially
collapsed after death. Under higher magnification, look for transverse and longitudinal sections
of patent sinusoids. The lining cells of these sinusoids are elongated endothelial cells with
tapered ends that lie parallel to the long axis of the vessel. These endothelial cells are separated
from each other by gaps. In cross sections of sinusoids, therefore, they are cut transversely and
appear as cuboidal blocks arranged loosely in a circle, with intervening gaps.
Observe the specimen as noted above:
Be able to illustrate and identify important parts of each.
TONSILS(LPO) SPLEEN(HPO)
Questions
1. Which lymphatic organs have afferent lymphatic vessels?

2. How do lymphocytes enter:
1. lymph nodes
2. MALT (e.g., tonsil)
3. What are the components of the blood thymic barrier?
4. Which of the lymphatic organs filters blood?
Multiple Choice:
1. What is another term for lymphatic nodules?

a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue
2. Which layer of the gastrointestinal tract contains the gut associated lymphatic tissue?
a. Mucosa
b. Sub mucosa
c. Muscularis externa
d. Serosa
e. Adventitia
3. Which of the following is NOT made of a framework of reticular fibers?

a. Bone marrow
b. Lymph node
c. Spleen
d. Thymus
e. None of the above--all are made of a framework of reticular fibers.
4. What is the acronym for the diffuse lymphatic tissue found in the intestinal tract?
a. BALT
b. DALT
c. FALT
d. GALT
e. HALT
5. What is another name for a splenic nodule?

a. Malpighian corpuscle
b. Trabeculae
c. White pulp
d. Red pulp
e. Cords of Billroth
6. What is the term for the entire lymphatic region of the spleen?
a. Malpighian corpuscle
b. Trabeculae
c. White pulp
d. Red pulp
e. Cords of Billroth
7. Which of the following is NOT a function of the spleen?

a. Destruction of red blood cells
b. Lymphocyte production
c. Storage of blood
d. Fetal blood cell formation
e. All of the above are functions of the spleen
8. When looking at a lymph node, where are lymphatic nodules?

a. Deep cortex
b. Tertiary cortex
c. Juxtamedullary cortex
d. Paracortical zone
e. Outer cortex
9. Where do T lymphocytes gain their immunocompetence?

a. Thymus
b. Thyroid
c. Bursa of Fabricus
d. Bone marrow
e. Lymph node
10. What do you call the random distribution of lymphocytes that are found in the respiratory
tract, genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract?
a. Lymph follicles
b. White pulp
c. Peyer's patches
d. Lymph node
e. Diffuse lymphatic tissue

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Exercise No.

11: Lymphatic System

Components of the Lymphatic System

Peripheral lymphoid tissue includes:

1. diffuse lymphatic tissue: accumulations of unencapsulated lymphocytes in the lamina of

Tissue in focus: SPLEEN

Observe the specimen as noted above:

Be able to illustrate and identify important parts of each.

1. Which lymphatic organs have afferent lymphatic vessels?

1. What is another term for lymphatic nodules?

3. Which of the following is NOT made of a framework of reticular fibers?

5. What is another name for a splenic nodule?

7. Which of the following is NOT a function of the spleen?

8. When looking at a lymph node, where are lymphatic nodules?

9. Where do T lymphocytes gain their immunocompetence?

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