The Anatomy and Histology

of the Spleen and Lymphatic

System

Dr. Bruce Burns

Dept of Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine
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l’Univeristé d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa Université d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa 16:10
16:10

Why do we have a lymphatic

Features of the lymphatic capillary
system?
● Acts as a “sponge” to resorb fluid ● Porous “blind ended” channels
(lymph) from the interstitial space > present in the interstitium of most
prevents edema organs (not brain)
● transports foreign substances to ● often collapsed, very difficult to see
regional lymph nodes > immune unless injected
response ● lined by endothelium
● larger lymphatics may have valves
and smooth muscle coats
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Main thoracic/abdominal Lymphatics of head, neck and

lymphatic vessels axilla
•Cysterna chyli in abdomen receives •Scalp drains to cervical nodes
lymph from intestinal lymphatics -
important for fat absorption •Oral cavity/throat drains to
cervical nodes
•Thoracic duct carries lymph from lower
limbs and abdomen, emptying into venous •breast and arm drain to
blood system at junction of left jugular and axillary nodes
subclavian veins

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 Leg Lymphatic Drainage Lung lymphatics

•Drain to superficial inguinal lymph •Lymphatics follow

nodes bronchovascular
structures draining
•no other significant lymph nodes in leg
centrally
distal to inguinals
•surround alveoli
•meshwork on
pleural surface

Lymphatics
in yellow

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Université d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa 16:10 Université d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa 16:10

What are the major lymphoid Basic Anatomy of a Lymph Node

organs ?
● lymph nodes
● extranodal lymphoid tissue -
– tonsils
– spleen
– mucosal associated lymphoid tissue
(MALT)
● thymus

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Lymph Node Histology - low power Sinus histiocytes

Benign (reactive) 1.8 cm

follicular
hyperplasia of Mantle zone B-cells
lymph node

Germinal Center

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B and T cell distribution in lymph nodes
Antigen Presenting cells

● B-cell zone (Germinal Center)

B cells in
follicle – follicular dendritic cells
● T-cell zone (Paracortex)
– interdigitating reticulum cells
● both present antigen in the context
of self-MHC molecules

T cells in
paracortex 13 14
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Clinical importance of lymphatic

drainage and lymph node locations
● If blocked lymphedema develops
– occurs after some surgery/radiation on
lymph nodes
● anatomy of lymphatic drainage is
consistent, metastases from organs
follow typical pattern of spread
● inflamed (tender) nodes suggest
infection in area of drainage
Université d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Functions of the Spleen
● “organof mystery” in antiquity
● Red Pulp- filtering function
– RBC’s “boot camp” - must shape up
• lose nuclear remnants (Howell-Jolly
bodies) Pitting
• able to deform through sinusoidal wall
and endothelium Culling
– macrophages filter and destroy foreign
material in blood Macrophage activation
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Spleen - Gross Anatomy

Functions of the Spleen - 2

● White pulp - immunologic functions

– trapping and processing of antigens
– the major site of antibody synthesis
– key role in removal of encapsulated
bacteria (Strep pneumo)

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 Microanatomy of the Spleen
Spleen - Gross features

•“normal” weight = 50-250 GMS

•Splenic artery from celiac trunk,
courses along length of pancreas
•Splenic vein returns to IVC

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Splenic Red Pulp Architecture Histologic features of the Spleen

•Arterial blood empties
into splenic cords of
Billroth
•blood cells must squeeze
through endothelial cells
to get back into sinus
circulation
White
Pulp

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Red Pulp
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Red Pulp Histology Splenic sinus basement

membrane - “ring fibers”

Cords
Sinus Ring
fibers

Sinus
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White Pulp Histology
Splenic Oddities

Mantle zone ● Asplenia - congenital absence, often

associated with cardiac abnormalities
● Accessory spleens - small deposits of

Germinal
“normal” spleen in abdomen
center ● splenosis - post-traumatic seeding of
“baby spleens” in the peritoneum
following splenic rupture

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Marginal zone / University of Ottawa
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