TS of Mammalian Spleen, Thymus and Lymph Nodes

Comments :
• Spleen is the largest lymphoid gland.

• It is dark brown in colour and composed of muscular and fibrous coat, fibrous trabeculae, red pulp, white
pulp and is richly vascularised.
• Capsule sends bands or trabeculae, which fonn a network in the substance of the gland.
• In the interstices of the framework lies a soft pulpy substance, called as spleen pulp which may be red or
white.
• Red pulp forming the bulk gives red colour to spleen.
• Section also contains blood corpuscles, malpighian corpuscles, blood capillaries venous sinuses and nerves.
• A portion of the spleen under high magnification shows clear distinction between red and white pulp.
• Other structures seen are penicilli of white pulp and venous sinuses.
• White pulp, contains dense concentration of lymphocytes and looks darker while nuclei of red pulp are
scattered. Indistinct reticular and phagocytic cells are also present.
Special features (functions) : Spleen has following functions – (i) Red and white pulp contain resident
macrophages, T-Iymphocytes, platelets and B-Iymphocytes. It also contains plasmocytes secreting
antibodies, (ii) It stores and synthesizes leucocytes, (iii) It contains macrophages which destroy old
erythrocytes. (iv) In embryonic condition it produces erythrocytes but after birth lecucocytes are
produced.
Identification : Since the section contains red pulp, white pulp and all above features, hence it is T.S.
of spleen of rabbit.
Thymus
The thymus is located at the top of the sternum (breastbone), near the collarbone. It resides
between the sternum and the aortic arch. At birth, the thymus measures approximately 1 to 2
inches wide by one-half inch thick. The organ grows in size throughout childhood, until it begins
to shrink in adolescence.
The thymus is encapsulated by a wall made of collagen-type tissue. Inside, the organ is divided
into two main lobes with irregular lobules (sub-lobes), each of which contains several structures
and cell types:
• Cortex: Nearest the organ’s wall, the cortex region contains developing T cell
lymphocytes
• Medulla: A region near the center of each lobule, the medulla holds fully developed T
cells
• Epithelioreticular cells: These cells create walls that divide the organ into a latticework
of sections that hold developing and mature T cells
• Blood vessels: The capsule and lobular walls contain blood vessels to supply oxygen to
the organ’s tissues
• Lymphatic vessels: Similar to blood vessels, lymphatic vessels carry lymphatic fluid
through the body’s lymph system, including the thymus
• Macrophages: These immune system cells destroy T cells that have not developed
properly
FUNCTION (NOT NECESSARY TO WRITE IN PRACTICAL COPY)
The only purpose of the thymus is to produce white blood cells called T lymphocytes (T cells).
They are called T cells because they are primarily produced in the thymus. The thymus
produces some T cells before birth and continues the process from birth through adolescence.T
cells come in several varieties that perform various roles in the immune response. The most
common types of T cells and their roles are:
• T4 or CD4 cells: Alert other white blood cells to pathogens, so they can be destroyed
• T8 or CD8 cells: Control the overall immune system response by suppressing the
activities of other white blood cells
• Killer T cells: This specific type of CD8 cell recognizes and destroys foreign cells,
cancer cells, and those infected with a virus.
T.S. of MAMMALIAN LYMPH NODES
Lymph Nodes(do not write in practical copy)

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that are the size of a pea.
You have nodes throughout your body including in your armpits, neck
and groin. Your lymph nodes can swell or get bigger, which is a sign that
your body is fighting an infection or an illness.
Your lymph nodes work closely with two body systems including your:
• Immune system: The immune system protects your body from

foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses to prevent infection,
illness or diseases. Your immune system is what keeps you
healthy.
• Lymphatic system: The lymphatic system is part of your immune
system that protects your body from foreign invaders that cause
illness, maintains fluid levels throughout your body, absorbs
nutrients and fats and removes waste from cells.
As a filter for the fluid that flows through your cells and tissues, lymph
nodes clean up and get rid of lymphatic fluid waste and invaders that
cause illness, while holding onto the components of your lymphatic
fluid that keep you healthy.
Lymph nodes exist throughout your body. They normally reside where
two or more major blood vessels come together (converge) on your
body including:
• Neck.
• Armpit (axillary).
• Chest.
• Abdomen.
• Groin.
• Behind your ear.
Lymph nodes are made of lymph tissue and different types of cells
including:
• White blood cells (lymphocytes).

• B cells.
• T cells.
• Dendritic cells.
• Macrophages.
• Plasma cells.
WRITE THIS PORTION ONLY
Histological structure
Lymph nodes are encapsulated by dense connective tissue comprised of elastin and
collagen fibres along with interspersed fibroblasts.
Cross sectional analysis of a lymph node reveals that it is subdivided into three regions:
Outer cortex
The outermost layer is the cortex. It is made up of a subcapsular sinus, cortical sinus and
lymphoid nodules. The subcapsular sinus is the first space that lymph fluid from the
afferent channels enters within the node. The fluid then travels from here to
the cortical sinuses; which are branches of the subcapsular sinus. The cortical sinuses are
also known as trabecular sinuses because they travel along the trabecular network within
the lymph node.
Paracortex
Deep to the cortical layer is the paracortex. Its margins blend with the superficial cortex
and deep medulla. The principal distinguishing features are the absence of lymphoid
nodules and the large number of T lymphocytes (both cluster of differentiation 4 and 8
positive T cells [CD4+ and CD8+]) within the stroma of the paracortex.
Medulla
The deepest layer of the lymph node is the medulla. It is subdivided functionally and
histologically into two other regions; which are the medullary cords and sinuses. The cords
are populated by plasma cells, as well as B – cells and T – cells. The cells are arranged in
cord-like projections extending centrally from the paracortex.

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Comments :

• Spleen is the largest lymphoid gland.

T.S. of MAMMALIAN LYMPH NODES

Lymph Nodes(do not write in practical copy)

• Immune system: The immune system protects your body from

• White blood cells (lymphocytes).

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