The spleen is an ovoid organ roughly the size of a fist. The spleen contains white and red pulp. The white pulp contains compact masses of lymphocytes surrounding branches of the splenic artery. The red pulp consists of a network of blood-filled sinusoids, along with \ymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, and monocytes {phagocytic white blood cells). There are three major functions of the spleen, and these are handled by three different tissues within the spleen: + Reticuloendothelial tissue: concerned with phagocytosis of erythrocytes and cell debris from the bloodstream. This same tissue may produce foci of hemopoiesis when RBCs are needed * Venous sinusoids: along with the power of the spleen to contract, provides a method for expelling the contained blood to meet increased circulatory demands *¢ White pulp: provides lymphocytes and a source of plasma cells and hence antibodies for the cellular and humoral specific immune defenses Blood enters the spleen at the hilum through the splenic artery and is drained by the splenic vein, which joins the superior mesenteric vein to form the hepatic portal vein to the liver. The nerves ta the spleen accompany the splenic artery and are derived from the celiac plexus. Note: Like the thymus, the spleen possesses only efferent lymphatic vessels. Remember: The spleen does not develop from the primitive gut, as do the lungs, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, stomach, esophagus, and intestines. The spleen develops from mesenchymal cells of the mesentery attached to the primitive stomach. The tonsils are lymphatic organs that tie under the surface lining of the mouth and throat. They are considered part of the secondary immune system. They sit in the respiratory and alimentary tracts in position to be exposed 10 inspired or ingested antigens from air or food, When sufficient antigen is present, this stimulates the B cells in the geminal zone of the lymphoid follicle to differentiate and produce antibodies. The tonsils are involved in the production of mostly secretory IgA, which is trans- transported to the surface, providing local immune protection. There are three sets of tonsils, named according to their position. + The pharyngeal tonsils are located on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. They are at their peak of development during childhood. They are also called adenoids. They arc surrounded partly by connective tissue and partly by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium (respiratory epithelium). They contain no erypts. + The palatine tonsils are located on the posterolateral walls of the throat, one on each side. They reach their maximum size during early childhood, but after puberty diminish considerably in size. These are the tonsils that are noticeably enlarged when a person suffers from a “sore throat.” They contain many erypts, lymphoid follicles, but no sinuses. The palatine tonsils are surrounded partly by connective tissue and partly by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Important point: The best way to distinguish the palatine tonsil from the pharyngeal tonsil on the histologic level is the type of epithelium associated with it. * The lingual tonsils are smaller and more numerous. They are a collection of lymphoid follicies on the posterior portion of the dorsum of the tongue. Each has a single crypt. They surrounded by non- keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Remember: Peyer’s patches are similar in structure and function to the tonsils (Peyer & patches form “intestinal tonsils”). Located in the small intestine (specifically, the ileum), they serve to destroy the abundant bacteria, which would otherwise thrive in the moist environment of the intestine, Note: Peyer’s patches and tonsils are considered subepithelial and non-encapsulated lymphoid tissues, The three groups of tonsils are often referred to as Waldeyer’s Ring or the Tonsillar Ring.