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Thymus and Lymph Node
Thymus and Lymph Node
Stroma Parenchyma
Capsule
Trabeculae
Reticular fibers
Stroma
Histological structure of the thymus
• Stroma:
Connective tissue capsule.
Connective tissue septa (trabeculae)
extend into the parenchyma divide it
into incomplete lobules.
• Parenchyma: each lobule is divided into:
A peripheral dark cortex.
An inner pale medulla.
T cell maturation
T cell differentiation
I-The thymic cortex
• The cortex is darkly stained because of densely
packed cells.
• It is composed of:
1. An extensive population of thymocytes
(developing T lymphocytes).
2. Epithelial reticular cells: provide a
supporting framework (cytoreticulum) for
the developing T lymphocytes.
3. Macrophages.
5Nos: lymphoid nodules, B lymphocytes, plasma cells, reticular fibers and reticular cells.
II- Thymic medulla
• The medulla is pale because of its loosely- packed
cells.
• The medulla of adjacent lobules is connected
together due to the incomplete lobulation of the
gland.
• The medulla contains:
1. A small number of mature small lymphocytes.
2. Few macrophages.
3. Epithelial reticular cells : large in number,
form the cytoreticulum of the medulla.
4. Hassall’s corpuscles.
Hassall’s corpuscles
• Site: in the medulla of the thymus.
• Structure:
Concentric whorls of eosinophilic flattened
epithelial reticular cells.
The epithelial reticular cells in the center of
the corpuscle are filled with keratohyaline
granules and cytokeratin filaments and they
may calcify.
• Function: is still not fully understood.
Vascular supply of the thymus
• The cortex is supplied by looped
capillaries that extend from the arterioles
at the cortico- medullary junction.
• The lymphocytes that reach maturity
enter the circulation through the post
capillary venules migrate to the
thymic-dependent areas of secondary
lymphoid organs homing and
activated.
The blood-thymus barrier
• Definition: It is a barrier between the
developing T lymphocytes and the blood
in the cortical capillaries.
• Function: this barrier prevents the foreign
antigens from reaching the thymic cortex
where T lymphocytes are still in state of
maturation.
The blood-thymus barrier
• Components:
Continuous (non fenestrated) endothelial cells of
the blood capillaries joined together by occluding
junctions.
Basal lamina of the endothelial cells.
The pericytes surrounding the capillary wall.
Macrophages in the perivascular connective
tissue.
Basal lamina of the epithelial reticular cells.
Epithelial reticular cells joined together by
occluding junctions.
Functions of epithelial reticular cells
1- Form the cytoreticulum of the
cortex& medulla.
2- Form Hassall’s corpuscles.
3- Form the blood thymic barrier.
4- Secrete several growth factors that
stimulate T cell proliferation and
differentiation e.g. thymopoietin.
Which statement is the best to describe the
structure of the thymus?
1-It is divided by CT septa into complete lobules.
2- It contains a well developed cytoreticulum formed by reticular cells.
3- The thymic cortex contains T lymphocytes, macrophages & plasma
cells.
4- No lymphoid nodules characterize the parenchyma.
Which statement is the best to describe the
structure of the thymus?
1-It is divided by CT septa into complete lobules.
2- It contains a well developed cytoreticulum formed by reticular cells.
3- The thymic cortex contains T lymphocytes, macrophages & plasma
cells.
4- No lymphoid nodules characterize the parenchyma.
Lymph nodes
• Site: They are located along the course
of the lymphatic vessels.
• Function: filtration of the lymph.
• Shape: small kidney shaped bodies(
indented at the hilum where arteries
enter while veins and efferent lymphatic
vessels leave the lymph node).
Histological structure of lymph node
Stroma Parenchyma
I- Stroma
Capsule
Fibroelastic
Trabeculae
-Perpendicular to capsule,
-Divide the cortex into incomplete
compartments.
-In the medulla: they run in different
Reticular CT directions.