Abstract
Introduction: The spleen is a largest collection of lymphoid tissue with peculiar anatomical and physiological features. Spleen plays an important role in fetal hematopoiesis and immunomodulation. The aim of the study is to perform detailed histological analysis of human fetal splenic specimens of various gestational ages and compare the findings with earlier studies.
 Material and Methods: The present study included 40 fetal cadaveric spleen and morphometric features i.e., weight was measured and the sections of the spleen were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain and were observed under compound light microscope
 Results: In the present study the histology of spleens of prenatal group showed the well defined red pulp, venous sinusoids and diffusely spread lymphocytes at 18 weeks of gestation and the organization of lymphoid follicles was noticed at 24-28 weeks. At 32 weeks well defined white pulp was observed and the microscopic architecture of the spleen was similar to the histology of adult spleen.
 Conclusion: A detailed knowledge of splenic morphometric dimensions, Histology and Histogenesis is crucial in deciphering the role of spleen in fetal development and fetal wellbeing.
 Key words: spleen, hematopoietic, microscopic, fetal
Highlights
The spleen is a largest collection of lymphoid tissue with peculiar anatomical and physiological features
Material and Methods: The present study included 40 fetal cadaveric spleen and morphometric features i.e., weight was measured and the sections of the spleen were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain and were observed under compound light microscope Results: In the present study the histology of spleens of prenatal group showed the well defined red pulp, venous sinusoids and diffusely spread lymphocytes at 18 weeks of gestation and the organization of lymphoid follicles was noticed at 24-28 weeks
A detailed knowledge of splenic morphometric dimensions, Histology and Histogenesis is crucial in deciphering the role of spleen in fetal development and fetal wellbeing
Summary
The spleen is a largest collection of lymphoid tissue with peculiar anatomical and physiological features. The spleen plays an important role in the immunomodulation, acts as a primary haemopoietic centre until late in the fetal period, plays and important role in apoptotic cell clearance, immune tolerance, efficient removal of blood-borne microorganisms, lymphocyte differentiation and activation [4]. These functions are carried out by the two main components of the spleen, the white pulp (including the marginal zone) and the red pulp, which are vastly different in their microscopic architecture, vascular organization, and cellular composition[5,6]. The white pulp is subdivided into periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS), the follicles, and the marginal zone
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