Lymph Nodes Flashcards
What shape are lymph nodes?
Where are they concentrated?
How many are there?
kidney bean shaped organs
concentrated in the groin, axillary, and cervical regions
hundreds
What are lymph nodes surrounded by?
a fibrous capsule
Lymph nodes have extensions. What are they and what do they do?
trabeculae, these divide the lobes into lobules (like the thymus)
What makes up the stroma of the lymph node? (supporting structures that form a web)
trabeculae
capsule
reticular fibers
fibroblasts
a covering of dense connective tissue
capsule
a thin cavity where lymph flows into the lymph node
subcapsular sinus (or space)
round dark staining structures found in the cortex
lymphoid follicles
lighter staining center of the lymphoid follicle
germinal centers
What do germinal centers contain?
dendritic cells and macrophages
What are important in the processing and presenting antigen for activation of the T cells
macrophages and dendritic cells
This is in the center and contains medullary cords that contain B lymphocytes and plasma cells (antibody-secreting cells) as well as medullary sinuses.
medulla
Within the center of the medullar is the medullary cord, what is in the medullary cord?
B lymphocytes
plasma cells (antibody-secreting cells)
medullary sinus
flow into the lymph node
afferent lymphatic vessels (a special type of collecting lymphatic vessel)
flow out of the lymph node
efferent lymphatic vessels (a special type of collecting lymphatic vessel)
This provides channels for the flow of lymph within the lymph node. They are formed by reticular fibers.
medullary sinuses
