[Structure and cellular composition of cubital lymph nodes in the adult human]

The cubital lymph nodes obtained from 32 corpses of mature persons (16-75 years of age) have been studied. Sections 5-7 mcm thick made at the level of the hilus are stained with hematoxylin--eosin, azur II--eosin, after van Gieson and Mallory. When the comparative contents of the connective tissue, cortical and medullary substance are determined, the whole area of the node in the section is taken as 100%. With age, the connective tissue composition (capsules and trabecules) and fat tissue grow in size. During all the age periods the medullary substance predominates over the cortical substance. The amount of the lymph nodules essentially decreases with age. For each age period there is its own specific cytological profile. However, during all the age periods the amount of the small lymphocytes predominates over the contents of the large and middle lymphocytes.