LYMPH NODES

Definition : Small, bean shaped capsulated lymphoid tissue pieces which are present
strategically along the passage of lymphatics.
Fx :
- House for T & B lymphocytes
- House for Ab (plasma cells)
- Filter lymph fluid from other place which may content microbial Ag and exposed it
to APC which are present in the lymph node APC process the Ag present it to
B & T cells develop immune response
Structure of lymph node
Convex surface
- Receives lymph from afferent lymphatics
Concave surface (Have hilum)
- Artery
- Vein
- 1 or 2 Efferent lymphatics
Capsule
- Made of collagen dense connective tissue
- These capsule goes within lymph node & make partition called trabeculae
Cortex
- Outer part of lymph node
- Has outer & inner cortex (inner cortex is also paracortex)
Medulla
- Innermost
Flow of Lymph in Lymph Node
Lymph enter from afferent lymphatics.
Has valve.
Moved into subcapsular sinuses (they are
lymphatics channel but if present in lymph
node, they are called lymphoid sinuses)
under capsule
Drain into trabecular aka cortical
sinuses
As they come down into medulla they make
intercommunicating channel called
medullary sinuses

Cells of Lymph Node

1. Lymphatic nodules/ Lymphoid follicles follicles at the outer cortex
- Aggregates of B lymphocytes

When there is stimulation to B-lymphocytes due to bacterial infection B

lymphocytes will and proliferates & multiply and go centre to the germinal
centre (pale area because lymphocytes are proliferating into centroblast which
has less chromatin means that the lymphoid follicle is active with proliferation.
Significant : in Brutons Disease more in Boys + B lymphocytes is not developed
cannot convert into plasma cells no Ab production (aka. No gamma
globulinemia) state of aggammaglobulinemia (decrease gamma globulin in
plasma). When you do cut section of LN, outer cortex is not developed because no
B lymphocytes.

They also have APCs:

Macrophages they engulf the bacteria breakdown the bacteria into
phagolysosome fused the bacterial Ag with MHC class 2 molecule and
expressed the Ag with class 2 molecule on its surface present it to T-helper cell
T helper cells helps B cells to convert into plasma cells plasma cells make Ab
against the Ag immune complex is formed macrophage eat the immune
complex & clear it from body.
Simple dendritic cells.
Follicular dendritic cells however, they are Ag holding cells not APC make
the immune system remains stimulated for the whole time.
Reticular cells produce collagen no.3 make up the architecture of lymph
node.

Reactive Lymphoid follicles

Lymph follicles is not so active

- Not much germinal centres
2. T cells zone of lymph node in the inner cortex (paracortex)
House of T cells
This area will only developed well when in the body there are T cells

No T-cells this area will not developed

Significant: T cells mature in thymus. If someone does not have thymus
congenitally like in DiGeorge Syndrome problem with 3 & 4 pharyngeal pouch
development thymus & parathyroid gland not developed has no fxnal T cells
paracortex area will be absent in their lymph node.
Inner cortex will thicken when T cells are proliferating during infection esp. viral
infection.
Has all cells except follicular cells.

3. Medulla house for Plasma cells

Plasma cells secrete Ab into medullary sinus into the efferent lymphatics
Has all the cells except follicular dendritic cells

Summary :

Tips to remember this area

& their cells :

Blood Flow through the LN

Boobs
Testis

Penis

PATHOLOGY
1)
2)
3)
4)

Bacterial infection
Viral infection
Brutins Disease (agammaglobulinemia)
DiGeorge Syndrome : abnormal development of 3 & 4 pharyngeal pouch No
thymus + parathyroid cells lack of T cells in lymph node + hypocalcemia
repeated infection + tetany
5) Severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCIDS)
6) Adenosine deaminase deficiency syndrome rare : have developed a successful
gene therapy
7) Lymophoma