The marginal zone is the border region between the white pulp and red pulp of the spleen. Blood from the arterioles opens into it, so it is the first place where blood-borne microbes meet the splenic immune cells.
| Location | Surrounding the white pulp follicles and sheaths, next to the red pulp |
|---|---|
| Nerve Supply | Coeliac plexus (sympathetic fibres along the splenic artery) |
| Blood Supply | Splenic artery (central and penicillar arterioles) |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Contains marginal zone B cells and macrophages that rapidly respond to bacterial capsules and trap circulating particles.
Marginal zone B cells are especially important for defence against encapsulated bacteria. Splenic marginal zone lymphoma arises here and often presents with a large spleen.
A slow-growing B cell lymphoma with splenic enlargement and abnormal lymphocytes in the blood.
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