Quick Facts
The trabecular sinuses are those surrounding the trabeculae of the lymph node.
Structure/Morphology
The trabecular sinus originates from the subcapsular sinus. It is one of three sinuses in the lymph nodes, the others include the subcapsular and medullary sinuses. Unlike vascular sinuses, lymphatic sinuses are not open spaces. They are occupied by reticular fibers surrounded by reticular cell processes and macrophages (Willard-Mack, 2006). This forms a meshwork within the sinus, thus slowing down the flow of lymph through the sinus which enhances filtration.
Anatomical Relations
The trabecular sinus follows the same trajectory as the trabeculae, extending through the cortex. The trabecular sinuses drain into the medullary sinuses.
Function
The trabecular sinus receives lymph from the subcapsular sinus. The lymph is further filtered by the reticular meshwork in the trabecular sinus, where the antigenic material becomes trapped and phagocytosed by the macrophages.
References
Willard-Mack, C. L. (2006) 'Normal structure, function, and histology of lymph nodes', Toxicologic Pathology, 5(34), pp. 409-424.
