| Lab 3 Connective Tissue Proper :1)Index 2) Introduction to Connective Tissue / 3)Mucous CT / 4)Loose CT / 5)Reticular CT / 6)Adipose / 7)Dense Irregular CT / 8)Dense Regular CT / 9)Dense Regular Elastic CT / 10) Comparing Connective tissues / 11)Practical |
| RETICULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE |
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Things to identify: reticular fibers / reticulocytes / stroma 1. Stroma of lymph node # 27 - Lymph node, reticular connective tissue, Mallory stain |
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This section through the lymph node of a monkey has been stained with a Mallory stain to enhance the connective tissue elements. Reticular fibers along with the reticular cells that synthesize them form the stroma (framework) of lymphoid organs (exception: the thymus). How are reticular fibers and collagen fibers similar? Can you find macrophages? References: Gartner, p. 55, Fig. 4 (silver) p. 183, Fig. 4 (silver) Ross, p. 103, Fig, 5.7 p. 169, Fig. 4 (silver) DiFiore, p. 97, Fig. 2 Wheater, p. 168, Fig. 11.6 |
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This slide has been specially stained so it would be possible to see the reticular fibers making up the stroma of the lymph node. The red arrows are outlining the reticular fibers. They look like elastic fibers in loose areolar tissue however they are much thicker and shorter. It is hard to make out the reticulocytes that are producing the fibers. Red Arrows - Reticular fibers |
Stroma of Lymph Node (Mallory Stain) |
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2. Stroma of spleen # 26 - Spleen, silver, reticular connective tissue |
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This section of the spleen has been stained with a silver stain to demonstrate reticular fibers. Reticular fibers and reticulocytes form the framework of the red pulp and the white pulp regions of the spleen. Note the branching netlike appearance of these darkly staining fibers. Reference: Gartner, p. 191, Fig. 4Wheater, p. 216, Fig. 11.23 Ross, p. 367, Fig. 3 |
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No graphic of this section is put in because for the purposes of this lab you can reference to the one above of the lymph node for the same info. |
