Faculty/Retired
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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MH-084 MHS-212 MHS-293 Spleen
Click the thumbnail to show spleen stained with hematoxylin & eosin.
Spleen (H&E)
The spleen is an encapsulated organ that filters blood and immunologically monitors blood.
- dense connective tissue enclosing the organ.
- connective tissue that extends inward from the capsule through which enter the pulp.
- composed of lymphatic tissue. It appears basophilic due to the large number of nuclei.
Splenic Nodules (, and )
- clusters of B lymphocytes located on central arterioles. They usually contain a of activated B lymphocytes.
Central Arterioles ( and ) - branches of trabecular arteries coated by PALS and adjacent to nodules.
PALS (Periarteriolar Lymphatic Sheath; and ) - cylindrical mass of mature T lymphocytes that surrounds central arterioles.
- region between white and red pulp where macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes interact.
- filters and degrades red blood cells (RBCs). It appears eosinophilic due to the large number of RBCs.
- vascular spaces lined by specialized that filter RBCs.
(of Billroth) - loose connective tissue that contains macrophages, plasma cells, and lymphocytes.
Pulp Arterioles ( and ) - they are not surrounded by lymphocytes like central arterioles in white pulp.
Sheathed Arterioles ( and ) - regions of pulp arterioles surrounded by macrophages.
Click the thumbnail to show spleen stained with azan.
Spleen (Azan)
Spleen stained with azan to distinguish the stroma (or connective tissue components) from the parenchyma. Collagen fibers (blue) are restricted to the capsule, trabeculae and blood vessels.
- dense connective tissue enclosing the organ
- connective tissue that extends inward from the capsule through which enter the pulp
- composed of lymphatic tissue
Splenic Nodules ( and ) - clusters of B lymphocytes located on central arterioles
Central Arterioles ( and ) - branches of trabecular arteries coated by PALS and adjacent to nodules
- filters and degrades red blood cells (RBCs)
- vascular spaces lined by specialized endothelial cells that filter RBCs
(of Billroth) - loose connective tissue that contains macrophages, plasma cells, and lymphocytes
Pulp Arterioles ( and ) - they are not surrounded by lymphocytes like central arterioles in white pulp
Click the thumbnail to show spleen stained with silver.
Spleen (silver)
The spleen is one of the organs that has a framework (or stroma) of reticular fibers.
Reticular fibers are composed of thin and delicately woven strands of type III collagen. They do not stain with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), but are specifically stained by silver. This renders them black and makes them easily distinguishable from type I collagen fibers that are stained red/brown.
- composed of lymphatic tissue
- loosely surround by reticular fibers
- adjacent to nodules and surrounded by a layer of reticular fibers
- filters and degrades red blood cells (RBCs)
(of Billroth) - loose connective tissue supported by a meshwork of reticular fibers
- vascular spaces between splenic cords are not surrounded by a layer of reticular fibers (unlike blood vessels)
Pulp Arterioles ( and ) - surrounded by a layer of reticular fibers
The reticular fibers form attachment sites for lymphocytes and other immune cells.
