Chapter 8 The lymphorecticular system and bone marrow/Fig 8.23.jpg

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Microanatomy and function of the spleen. (A) High-power view of the spleen (this field is 2 mm in diameter). (B) Immunocytochemical staining of spleen for CD8, highlighting the CD8+ splenic sinusoidal lining cells. The spleen contains white pulp (WP) which consists of periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALS) comprising both T and B lymphocytes, and the red pulp (RP) which acts as a filter for the blood. Blood leaves the arterioles, enters sinusoids (Si), flows through fenestrae in the sinusoidal lining cells, percolates through the cellular splenic cords (SC) containing macrophages and fibroblasts, and eventually reaches the efferent capillaries. Effete and damaged red cells are removed from the circulation within the splenic cords.