Fig. 3A: Structure of a Lymph Nodes
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Antigens enter lymph nodes through afferent lymphoid vessels. Antigen-presenting dendritic cells, B-lymphocytes, and T-lymphocytes enter through high endothelial venules. Non-activated and effector lymphocytes leave the lymph node through efferent lymphatic vessels. Naive B-lymphocytes become activated, proliferate, and differentiate into plasma cells in the germinal centers of lymphoid follicles while naive T-lymphocytes become activated, proliferate and differentiate into T-effector lymphocytes in the T-cell area.