Cortical structure of bovine lymph nodes
Aijima, H.; Horie, K.; Nagata, H.; Hoshi, H.
Kaibogaku Zasshi. Journal of Anatomy 61(3): 173-185
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-7722 PMID: 3788476 Document Number: 278219
The cortical structure of popliteal and mesenteric lymph nodes obtained from cattle aged between 1 month and 3 years was studied. Afferent lymphatic vessels were divided into numerous branches, which either opened into the subcapsular sinus or penetrated into some trabeculae and opened into the intermediate sinuses. The peripheral cortex extended along the capsule and also followed the cortical trabeculae. Lymph follicles containing germinal centers occurred anywhere within the peripheral cortex. In 6-month-old or younger animals, the deep cortex was a discontinuous layer composed of a large number of semi-rounded structures which were thought to correspond to the deep cortex units or unit complexes described by Belisle and Sainte-Marie (1981). Each of the unit structures was topographically associated with the opening(s) of the lymphatic branch(es): that is, the portion of capsule overlying a unit structure was supplied with one or two lymphatic branches opening into the subcapsular sinus at that site; when the lymphatic branch penetrating into a trabecula opened into the intermediate sinus, a unit structure was formed beneath the peripheral cortex extending along the trabecula, in association with the opening(s) of the trabecular lymphatic branch. In 1-year-old or older animals, the unit structures fused with each other and formed a continuous band, or layer, of deep cortex under the peripheral cortex.