[Collector system of the thymus].
A method of silver impregnation of the microcirculatory bed was used to disclose in thick sections (30-80 micrometers) of the guinea-pig thymus cortical zone a vascular network consisting of arteriolo-capillaro-venular loops resembling those seen in the derma papillary layer. The arteriolar and venular loops belong to the cortical zone, whereas the capillary loops lie in the corticomedullary zone. Since the cortical layer demonstrates a local distinctly marked histohematic barrier, poorly accessible for lymphocytes with the capillary loop wall being readily permeable, the lymphoid cells, before egress from the organ, travel across the entire cortical layer where they undergo influences of numerous differentiation factors over a certain period of time. It is assumed that the microcirculatory network disclosed is the basis for the thymus collector system responsible for egress of mature T cells from the organ.
D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology
Kollektornaia sistema timusa.