Lymph node: cortex

A capsule and the underlying subcapsular sinus surround the outer cortical zone. Lymph, together with the lymph-borne immune cells, first enters the subcapsular sinus via afferent lymphatic vessels. The subcapsular sinus consists of a loose meshwork of reticular fibers and macrophages that together trap and phagocytose particulate material. 400x

An afferent lymphatic vessel is seen near its point of opening into the subcapsular sinus and thus is incorporated into the capsule.  The vessel contains valves, typical of larger lymphatic vessels, that insure one-way flow of the lymph.

An afferent lymphatic vessel is seen near its point of opening into the subcapsular sinus and thus is incorporated into the capsule.  The vessel contains valves, typical of larger lymphatic vessels, that insure one-way flow of the lymph.

Sinuses of the lymph node are not open channels as are blood sinuses. Rather, these sinuses are lined by an endothelium and are spanned by a meshwork of reticular fibers ensheathed by reticular cells. Thus, lymph flow is retarded, allowing macrophages, transported to the node through afferent lymphatics, to phagocytose antigenic material.

Sinuses of the lymph node are not open channels as are blood sinuses. Rather, these sinuses are lined by an endothelium and are spanned by a meshwork of reticular fibers ensheathed by reticular cells. Thus, lymph flow is retarded, allowing macrophages, transported to the node through afferent lymphatics, to phagocytose antigenic material.

Sinuses of the lymph node are not open channels as are blood sinuses. Rather, these sinuses are lined by an endothelium and are spanned by a meshwork of reticular fibers ensheathed by reticular cells. Thus, lymph flow is retarded, allowing macrophages, transported to the node through afferent lymphatics, to phagocytose antigenic material.

Sinuses of the lymph node are not open channels as are blood sinuses. Rather, these sinuses are lined by an endothelium and are spanned by a meshwork of reticular fibers ensheathed by reticular cells. Thus, lymph flow is retarded, allowing macrophages, transported to the node through afferent lymphatics, to phagocytose antigenic material.

Sinuses of the lymph node are not open channels as are blood sinuses. Rather, these sinuses are lined by an endothelium and are spanned by a meshwork of reticular fibers ensheathed by reticular cells. Thus, lymph flow is retarded, allowing macrophages, transported to the node through afferent lymphatics, to phagocytose antigenic material.

Sinuses of the lymph node are not open channels as are blood sinuses. Rather, these sinuses are lined by an endothelium and are spanned by a meshwork of reticular fibers ensheathed by reticular cells. Thus, lymph flow is retarded, allowing macrophages, transported to the node through afferent lymphatics, to phagocytose antigenic material.

Sinuses of the lymph node are not open channels as are blood sinuses. Rather, these sinuses are lined by an endothelium and are spanned by a meshwork of reticular fibers ensheathed by reticular cells. Thus, lymph flow is retarded, allowing macrophages, transported to the node through afferent lymphatics, to phagocytose antigenic material.