Red pulp

Red pulp
Red pulp
	Spleen
Details
Identifiers
Latin	pulpa splenica
TA98	A13.2.01.005
TA2	5175
FMA	15844
	Anatomical terminology

The red pulp of the spleen is composed of connective tissue known also as the cords of Billroth and many splenic sinusoids that are engorged with blood, giving it a red color.^[1]^[2] Its primary function is to filter the blood of antigens, microorganisms, and defective or worn-out red blood cells.^[3]

The spleen is made of red pulp and white pulp, separated by the marginal zone; 76–79% of a normal spleen is red pulp.^[4] Unlike white pulp, which mainly contains lymphocytes such as T cells, red pulp is made up of several different types of blood cells, including platelets, granulocytes, red blood cells, and plasma.^[1]

The red pulp also acts as a large reservoir for monocytes. These monocytes are found in clusters in the Billroth's cords (red pulp cords). The population of monocytes in this reservoir is greater than the total number of monocytes present in circulation. They can be rapidly mobilised to leave the spleen and assist in tackling ongoing infections.^[5]

^ ^a ^b Luiz Carlos Junqueira; José Carneiro (2005). Basic histology: text & atlas. McGraw-Hill Professional. pp. 274–277. ISBN 0-07-144091-7.
^ Michael Schuenke; Erik Schulte; Udo Schumacher; Lawrence M. Ross; Edward D. Lamperti (2006). Atlas of anatomy: neck and internal organs. Thieme. p. 219. ISBN 1-58890-360-5.
^ Victor P. Eroschenko; Mariano S. H. di Fiore (2008). Di Fiore's atlas of histology with functional correlations. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-7817-7057-6.
^ Carl Pochedly; Richard H. Sills; Allen D. Schwartz (1989). Disorders of the spleen: pathophysiology and management. Informa Health Care. pp. 7–15. ISBN 0-8247-7933-9.
^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Junqueira-1] Luiz Carlos Junqueira; José Carneiro (2005). Basic histology: text & atlas. McGraw-Hill Professional. pp. 274–277. ISBN 0-07-144091-7.

[2] Michael Schuenke; Erik Schulte; Udo Schumacher; Lawrence M. Ross; Edward D. Lamperti (2006). Atlas of anatomy: neck and internal organs. Thieme. p. 219. ISBN 1-58890-360-5.

[3] Victor P. Eroschenko; Mariano S. H. di Fiore (2008). Di Fiore's atlas of histology with functional correlations. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-7817-7057-6.

[Pochedly-4] Carl Pochedly; Richard H. Sills; Allen D. Schwartz (1989). Disorders of the spleen: pathophysiology and management. Informa Health Care. pp. 7–15. ISBN 0-8247-7933-9.

[:0-5] Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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