10 - Lymphatic System Histology Flashcards
Major functions of the lymphatic system:
Drain Excess Interstitial Fluid
-Return excess interstitial fluid to blood stream to help maintain normal blood volume & prevent edema
Provide an Alternative Transportation Route for Hormones, Nutrients, & Waste Products
Immune Response
-Produce, maintain, and distribute lymphocytes
Components of Lymphatic System:
Lymphatic vessels – connect parts of lymphatic system to blood circulatory system Lymphocytes & variety of supporting cells Diffuse lymphatic tissue Lymphatic nodules Lymph nodes Spleen Bone marrow Thymus
Lymphatic vessels – connect parts of
lymphatic system to blood circulatory system
Lymphatic vessels begin as networks of
blind-ended capillaries in microcapillary beds
Lymphatic capillaries form network within
loose connective tissues (especially numerous beneath epithelium of skin & mucous membranes)
Lymphatic vessels serve as adjuncts to the
blood vessels; unlike blood vessels, which carry blood to and from the body tissues, lymphatic vessels convey fluid only from tissues (to ultimately be returned to blood vascular system)
Smallest lymphatic vessels are called
lymphatic capillaries
Lymphatic capillaries: endothelial tubes lacking
continuous basal lamina results in high permeability
Allows for entry of large molecules, antigens, cells, etc.
Lymphatic vessels Collect
excess protein-rich extracellular fluid from extracellular spaces
Extracellular fluid referred to as lymph once it enters lymphatic vessel
Vessel wall thickness increases (connective tissue & bundles of smooth muscle) as
vessels become larger
There is no
central pump in lymphatic system
Lymph moves
sluggishly; relies primarily on skeletal muscle compression of vessels
Lymphatic vessels possess
valves prevent backflow of lymph; aid in unidirectional flow
Lymphatic capillaries converge to form
lymphatic vessels
Vessels unite to form two main channels:
Thoracic duct – largest lymphatic vessel; drains majority of body
Right lymphatic duct – drains right upper limb, right thorax, right neck, & right head
Right lymph valve Valve formed by
very small layer of connective tissue covered on both sides with endothelium
Left lymph vessel This layer of connective tissue present on the
outside of the endothelium blends with dense connective tissue (DCT) beyond the wall of the vessel
Lymphocytes –
definitive cells of lymphatic system; effector cells
3 major types of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, & Natural Killer (NK) cells
Supporting cells –
interact with lymphocytes; antigen presentation & regulation of immune responses
B Lymphocytes: First recognized in
Bursa of Fabricius of birds (mass of lymphatic tissue associated with cloaca)
B Lymphocytes: Represent
20%-30% of circulating lymphocytes
B Lymphocytes: Membrane-bound
B-cell receptor (antigen-specific binding site) = Immunoglobulin
B Lymphocytes: Activated B cells (Plasma cells) secrete
non-membrane bound form of immunoglobulins = Antibodies
B Lymphocytes: Humoral immunity =
secretion of antibodies into the blood upon B cell activation
T Lymphocytes: Mature in the
thymus
T Lymphocytes: Represent
60%-80% of circulating lymphocytes
T Lymphocytes: Cell-mediated immunity – involves
cell-cell interactions and release of cytokines; directed against intracellular pathogens
T Lymphocytes: Subclassified based on
presence/absence of cell surface markers: CD4+ and CD8+
Natural Killer (NK) cells : Represent
5%-10% of circulating lymphocytes
Natural Killer (NK) cells : Potent killers of
certain types of target cells, namely virally infected and malignant cells
Natural Killer (NK) cells : Component of
innate immunity
Diffuse lymphatic tissue – accumulations of
lymphatic tissue found within alimentary canal, respiratory passages, and genitourinary tract
Accumulations NOT surrounded by a
connective tissue capsule
Lymphocytes, plasma cells, fibroblasts & eosinophils found in the
lamina propria at these sites
Lymphatic nodules (follicles) –
discrete concentrations of lymphocytes contained in meshwork of reticular cells
Localized concentrations of lymphocytes commonly found in
walls of alimentary canal, respiratory passages, and genitourinary tract
Sharply defined, but NOT surrounded by connective tissue capsule
Primary nodule – a nodule consisting primarily of
small lymphocytes
Secondary nodule – contains
light staining germinal center in central region of nodule & an outer mantle zone (corona)
Germinal center – morphologic indication of
response to antigen; develops when lymphocyte binds antigen, returns to primary nodule, & proliferates
Germinal center
Light staining
(large immature lymphocytes with large amounts of dispersed euchromatin in nuclei)
Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) also present; found interspersed between
Germinal center
B lymphocytes
Mantle zone (corona) –
darker outer ring of small lymphocytes that encircle the germinal center
However, aggregations of lymphatic nodules are found in specific locations:
Tonsils
Peyer’s patches
Vermiform appendix
Tonsils – form ring of lymphatic tissue at entrance of oropharynx & nasopharynx
(“Waldeyer’s ring”)
Lingual tonsils – at the base of the
tongue
Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) – located in
roof of pharynx
Palatine tonsils – between
palatoglossal & palatopharyngeal arches
Squamous epithelium of tonsillar surface dips into underlying connective tissue forms tonsillar crypts (walls of crypts contain numerous lymphatic nodules)
Palatine tonsil: Stratified squamous epithelium forms the
surface of the tonsil and dips into the underlying connective tissue, forming tonsillar crypts
Palatine tonsil:
Stratified squamous epithelium (SSE) lines
tonsillar crypt. The stratified squamous epithelium is separated by a connective tissue layer (CT) from the lymphatic nodule (LN). In the upper portion of the of the image, the stratified squamous epithelium is just barely recognized because of the heavy infiltration of lymphocytes.
Peyer’s patches – located within the
ileum of small intestine; consists of numerous aggregations of lymphatic nodules containing T & B lymphocytes