Morphological studies on the hemal node in the Korean native cattle

한우 혈절에 관한 형태학적 연구

The hemal nodes of the Korean native cattle were studied by gross anatomy and light microscopy. Hemal nodes were spherical or ovoid in shape, and red or black in colors. A hemal node consisted of a thick capsule and a hilum, and had extensive subcapsular and deep sinuses distended by a great number of erythrocytes. Although a few lymphatic nodules and tissues were seen in the parenchyma, no typical cortex and medulla was defined. Blood vessels occurred, but lymph vessel was not observed in nodes. The stroma of the hemal node was composed of reticular cells and fibers. The parenchyma consisted of many erythrocytes and lymphocytes, and a few macrophages and megakaryocytes. The capsule and trabecula was a collagenous connective tissue with smooth muscle cells. B-lymphocytes were principally located in the lymphatic nodules of the hemal node. T-lymphocytes were scattered in the diffuse lymphatic tissues of the hemal node.