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Anatomy and cytology of the thymus in juvenile Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri
Author(s) -
Mohammad M. G.,
Chilmonczyk S.,
Birch D.,
Aladaileh S.,
Raftos D.,
Joss J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1469-7580
pISSN - 0021-8782
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2007.00814.x
Subject(s) - lungfish , biology , ultrastructure , anatomy , medulla , pathology , medullary cavity , histology , cortex (anatomy) , medicine , genetics , neuroscience , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
The anatomy, histology and ultrastructure of the thymus of a dipnoan, the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri , was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. The thymic tissue showed clear demarcation into a cortex and medulla with ample vascularization. Large cells including foamy and giant multinucleated cells with periodic acid Schiff/Alcian blue positive staining properties were localized mainly in the medulla. The major cellular components were epithelial cells and lymphoid cells. The epithelial cells were classified by location and ultrastructure into six sub‐populations: capsular cells, cortical and medullary reticular cells, perivascular endothelial cells, intermediate cells, nurse‐like cells and Hassall‐like corpuscles. Myoid cells were found mainly in the cortico‐medullary boundary and medulla. Macrophages and secretory‐like cells were also present. These findings will provide a base of knowledge about the cellular immune system of lungfish.