2: Structure and function of lymph nodes and spleen Flashcards
Where do
a) B cells
b) T cells
mature?
a) Bone marrow
b) Thymus
What are the two central lymphoid tissues?
Bone marrow
Thymus
What are some peripheral lymphoid tissues?
Lymph nodes
Spleen
Tonsils
A fraction of the circulation is filtered as ___.
lymph
Lymphoid tissues contain ___ cells.
immune cells
i.e white blood cells
The lymphatic system stops fluid from accumulating in the tissues.
What symptom do you have when this doesn’t happen?
Lymphoedema
What is the dilated part of the thoracic duct which carries lymph from the intestines and lower limbs?
Cisterna chyli
Describe the location of the
a) superficial
b) deep
inguinal nodes?
a) Superficial inguinal nodes - directly inferior to inguinal ligament, run horizontally
b) Deep inguinal nodes - run vertically along the medial aspect of the femoral vein
Before draining at the thoracic duct or left lymphatic duct, where does lymph go?
Lymph nodes
In which specific part of a lymph node are B cells found?
Primary follicles
Which part of a lymph node follicle becomes activated?
Germinal centre
What do B cells differentiate into?
Where in a lymph node are they found?
Plasma cells
Medulla
What disease processes cause lymphadenopathy?
Inflammation (local or systemic)
Infection
Malignancy
By which structures do cancers often metastasise?
Lymph nodes
causing lymphadenopathy
What is the differential diagnosis for a patient with generalised lymphadenopathy?
Malignancy - specifically haematological cancers e.g lymphoma
Rheumatic disease e,g RA, SLE
Viral infection
What granulomatous condition causes bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and erythema nodosum in many patients?
Sarcoidosis
i.e buzzwords buzzwords buzzwords
Where is the spleen found?
LUQ
Why is splenic rupture, especially when enlarged, a medical emergency?
Massive haemorrhage
Just like bone marrow, the spleen contains ___ which accept blood cells and release them into the circulation.
sinusoids
What is the function of the spleen?
Lymphoid organ
so filters blood and immune surveillance
What is the function of the
a) red pulp
b) white pulp of the spleen?
a) Highly vascular, carries blood to white pulp
b) Immune surveillance
What are the symptoms of splenomegaly?
LUQ dragging sensation
Pain on eating
What blood change occurs in hypersplenism?
Fall in 1+ blood components
What anatomical change occurs in hypersplenism?
Splenomegaly
What are some causes of splenomegaly?
Infection
Cardiovascular disease (e.g heart failure)
Blood malignancies
Rheumatic diseases
What is the most common reason for hyposplenism?
Splenectomy
Your spleen function is reduced if you do not have a spleen
What can be seen morphologically in hyposplenism?
Howell-Jolly bodies
Solid purple dots within normal-looking RBCs
Which GI condition is associated with splenic atrophy?
Coeliac disease
