Cords of Billroth
Encyclopedia
The Cords of Billroth are found in the red pulp of the spleen
between the sinusoids
, consisting of fibrils and connective tissue cells with a large population of monocytes and macrophages. These cords contain half of the human body's monocyte
s as a reserve so that after tissue injury these monocytes can move in and aid locally sourced monocytes in wound healing
.
Erythrocytes pass through the cords of Billroth before entering the sinusoids. The passage into the sinusoids may be seen as a bottleneck, where erythrocytes need to be flexible in order to pass through. In disorders of erythrocyte shape and/or flexibility, such as hereditary spherocytosis
, erythrocytes fail to pass through and get phagocytosed, causing extravascular hemolysis.
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
between the sinusoids
Sinusoid (blood vessel)
A sinusoid is a small blood vessel similar to a capillary but with a fenestrated endothelium. Fenestrations are pores in the endothelial cells that greatly increase their permeability. In addition, permeability is increased by large inter-cellular clefts and fewer tight junctions...
, consisting of fibrils and connective tissue cells with a large population of monocytes and macrophages. These cords contain half of the human body's monocyte
Monocyte
Monocytes are a type of white blood cell and are part of the innate immune system of vertebrates including all mammals , birds, reptiles, and fish. Monocytes play multiple roles in immune function...
s as a reserve so that after tissue injury these monocytes can move in and aid locally sourced monocytes in wound healing
Wound healing
Wound healing, or cicatrisation, is an intricate process in which the skin repairs itself after injury. In normal skin, the epidermis and dermis exists in a steady-state equilibrium, forming a protective barrier against the external environment...
.
Erythrocytes pass through the cords of Billroth before entering the sinusoids. The passage into the sinusoids may be seen as a bottleneck, where erythrocytes need to be flexible in order to pass through. In disorders of erythrocyte shape and/or flexibility, such as hereditary spherocytosis
Hereditary spherocytosis
Hereditary spherocytosis is a genetically-transmitted form of spherocytosis, an auto-hemolytic anemia characterized by the production of red blood cells that are sphere-shaped rather than bi-concave disk shaped , and therefore more prone to hemolysis.-Symptoms:As in non-hereditary spherocytosis,...
, erythrocytes fail to pass through and get phagocytosed, causing extravascular hemolysis.