The spleen of the cowbird

A histological study of the spleen of the Brown‐headed cowbird, Molothrus ater , is presented. One of the most striking differences from the mammalian spleen is the lack of trabeculae and of smooth muscle in the capsule which would suggest that the spleen is not an organ of storage or pumping of blood. Without trabeculae to foster the close association of the major arteries and veins, these vessels take separate courses. Their support is provided by elaboration of the collagenous and reticular fibres of the stroma. A peculiar ovoid structure, the ampulla , carries the blood from the terminal arterioles of the white pulp to both the sinusoids and the reticular cords of the red pulp so that both open and closed circulations are seen but the open circulation predominates. The ampulla has perforated walls consisting of a simple cuboidal endothelium surrounded by a dense reticular sleeve. Leucocytes were seen passing through the holes in the walls of the ampullae by diapedesis. It is suggested that the ampullae may be contractile and act as sphincters controlling the flow of blood through the spleen. The major functions of the spleen appear to be haemopoiesis, production of antibodies, and filtration of blood.