The Lymphatic System

Human Histology Midterms
II. LYMPHOCYTE ORIGINS/DIFFERENTIATION

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Primary Lymphoid Organs:
I. BASIC IMMUNOLOGY
a) Bone Marrow for B Lymphocytes
Innate Immunity
b) Thymus for T lymphocytes.
➢ involves leukocytes (mainly granulocytes), and Secondary Lymphoid Organs
proteins such as defensins, complement,
lysozyme, and interferons; cytokines. a) Lymph Nodes
b) MALT
▪ Hydrochloric acid (HCl) c) Spleen
o Where B and T cells are often activated,
▪ Defensins, short cationic polypeptides produced by proliferate, and begin to function
neutrophils and various epithelial cells that kill o Contains a meshwork of reticulin produced
bacteria by disrupting the cell walls. by fibroblastic reticular cells,
▪ Lysozyme, an enzyme made by neutrophils and cells of

epithelial barriers, which hydrolyzes bacterial cell wall
components, killing those cells.
▪ Complement, a system of proteins in blood plasma,

mucus, and macrophages that react with bacterial
surface components to aid removal of bacteria.
▪ Interferons, paracrine factors from leukocytes and

virus-infected cells that signal NK cells to kill such cells
and adjacent cells to resist viral infection.
▪ And organic acids in specific regions lower the pH Antigen bound to the immunoglobulin receptors on B cells
locally to either kill entering microorganisms directly or (BCRs) is endocytosed, processed, and presented on MCH
inhibit their growth. class II proteins to helper T cells.
These then secrete IL-4 and other cytokines that stimulate

gene recombination and clonal proliferation of these
Adaptive Immunity specific B cells.
➢ Develops more slowly and is based on antigen They differentiate as plasma cells producing antibodies
presentation to lymphocytes. against the antigen that was originally bound and
processed.
▪ Antigens
➢ Usually proteins; that are recognized by III. THYMUS
lymphocytes to elicit a specific immune Primary Lymphoid Organs:
response against them.
▪ Antibodies a) Bone Marrow for B Lymphocytes
➢ Immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells b) Thymus for T lymphocytes.
after a progenitor B cell is activated by a
specific antigen.
▪ B Cells - produce antibodies for humoral immunity
▪ Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I ▪ B-cell Receptors (BCRs) are IgM or IgD antibodies on
Molecules. the cell surface.
➢ found on surfaces of all nucleated cells bear ▪ T Cells - function in cell-mediated immunity.
fragments of their constituent proteins.
▪ MHC Class II Molecules

➢ Only antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
Human Histology Midterms
Classes of T Cells: Compartments of Lymph Nodes
A. CD4+ T helper cells; 1. Outer Cortex

B. CD8+ cytotoxic T cells;
C. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells ➢ Point of entry of lymphocytes to the entire Lymph
Node
D. γδ T Cells - TCR chains
➢ Where B Cells encounter Antibodies
Thymus
2. Paracortex
➢ The bilobed organ in the mediastinum that is
most active and prominent before puberty ➢ High Endothelial Venules (HEVs) portal of entry of
and undergoes involution with less activity in lymphocytes to paracortex
the adult. 3. Inner Medulla
o Primary organ where T Cells are produced.
o Originates from endoderm. a. Medullary Cords
b. Medullary Sinuses
Thymic Cortex
Hilum – Where blood vessels and nerve(s) enter.
1. Squamous Cells – Blood-thymus barrier
2. Stellate Epithelial Cells – Cytoreticulum VI. SPLEEN
3. Squamous Cortical Cells – Corticomedullary
➢ Without a cortex/medulla structure
barrier
➢ Two intermingled but functionally different
regions: white pulp and red pulp.
Thymic Medulla White Pulp
1. Stellate Epithelial Cells – Cytoreticulum ➢ 20% of the spleen

2. Secondary Layer ➢ Enclosed by periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths
3. Hassall Corpuscles (Aggregates of TEC) (PALS) of T cells.
Red Pulp
Functions of Thymic Cortex ➢ Filters blood,

➢ Removes defective erythrocytes,
➢ Removal of Developing T cells with nonfunctional ➢ Recycles hemoglobin iron.
TCRs (positive selection)
Parts
▪ Splenic Cords (aka Billroth) – contain macrophages,

IV. MUCOSA-ASSOCIATED LYMPHOID TISSUE reticular cells and fibers, other leukocytes.
MALT is found in the mucosa of most tracts but is
concentrated in the palatine, lingual and pharyngeal ▪ Splenic Sinusoids - lined by unusual endothelial cells
tonsils, Peyer patches, and the appendix. called stave cells that are elongated and aligned
parallel to the blood flow.
V. LYMPH NODES Blood Flow in Red Pulp
➢ Lymph nodes are bean-shaped, encapsulated ➢ Closed Circulation, moving from capillaries into the
structures, generally only 10 mm by 2.5 cm in size, venous sinusoids.
distributed throughout the body along the
lymphatic vessels. ➢ Open Circulation, with capillaries opening directly
➢ Filters lymph into the splenic cords.
➢ Site for B-cell activation and differentiation.
➢ Interaction with splenic cord macrophages that
remove old, swollen RBCs unable to slip between stave
cells to reenter the venous blood flow.

The Lymphatic System

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Lymphatic System

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Lymphatic System

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Human Histology Midterms

II. LYMPHOCYTE ORIGINS/DIFFERENTIATION

▪ Lysozyme, an enzyme made by neutrophils and cells of

▪ Complement, a system of proteins in blood plasma,

▪ Interferons, paracrine factors from leukocytes and

These then secrete IL-4 and other cytokines that stimulate

▪ MHC Class II Molecules

A. CD4+ T helper cells; 1. Outer Cortex

Thymic Medulla White Pulp

1. Stellate Epithelial Cells – Cytoreticulum ➢ 20% of the spleen

Functions of Thymic Cortex ➢ Filters blood,

▪ Splenic Cords (aka Billroth) – contain macrophages,

V. LYMPH NODES Blood Flow in Red Pulp

You might also like