Marine Mammal Immunology Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the immune structures of cetaceans.
What is unique about their splenic anatomy?
What about the thymus?
What are hemal nodes? What other species have them?
A
- Hemolymphatic and endocrine
- Spleen: many cetaceans have accessory spleens in addition to “normal” spleen
- Thymus in bottlenose dolphins extends into neck
- GALT: anal tonsil in distal colon
- Hemal nodes (cetaceans, ungulates, rats): along blood vessels, contain blood
2
Q
Describe the anatomy of the spleen in pinnipeds.
A
- Hemolymphatic and endocrine
- Spleen in deep-diving pinnipeds is massive and lingulate, acts to temporarily store RBC
