Toby L. Smith; Daniel F. Cowan, MD
Morphological and histological data on the lymphoid system of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops
truncates, was collected during detailed dissections of 34 animals. Constant Lymph nodes occur in four groups based
upon their location and structure: i) somatic, including nodes of the cervical region and pelvic recess; ii)
lung-associated, including marginal, diaphragmatic, and hilar nodes; iii) aortic arch nodes, associated with the thymus and
thyroid; iv) visceral, including mesenteric, pancreatic, pericolic, and porta hepatis nodes. In addition to these constant
node groups, variable Lymph nodes are occasionally found in relation to the thoracic aorta, the kidney, and under the
scapula. Somatic nodes have a relatively simple architecture, while the visceral nodes all contain variable amounts of
smooth muscle, dependent upon their location. Of the visceral nodes, the mesenteric Lymph node mass is the most richly
invested with capsular and trabecular smooth muscle and exhibits a network of muscle fascicles within the organ, implying a
contractile function of this mass in the circulation, as well as filtering, of lymph. Lung-associated nodes possess thick
capsules with minimal amounts of smooth muscle; drainage of this organ is primarily to the marginal and diaphragmatic
nodes. Gut-associated lymphoid tissue includes the dorsal and ventral oropharyngeal tonsils, mucosal aggregates in the
colon, and anal tonsils. Aggregates of Lymphoid tissue are also associated with the larynx. Formed organs of the lymphoid
system include the thymus and spleen. Based upon morphological observations, it appears that the immune system of
Tursiops is fully-developed at birth, similar to the immune system present in ruminants.