red pulp

body tissue

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The red pulp is a component of the spleen, an organ in the lymphatic system located in the upper left abdomen. It is a network of splenic cords and wide blood vessels where most of the blood filtration occurs. The red pulp is also the primary site for the destruction of old red blood cells, breaking down hemoglobin and recycling iron. Additionally, it serves as a reservoir for macrophages and monocytes, which are white blood cells that help regulate inflammation and tissue healing. In some animals, the spleen can also store blood reserves.1

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spleen
…is of two types, the red pulp and the white pulp, which do not separate into regions but intermingle and are distributed throughout the spleen. The white pulp is lymphoid tissue that usually surrounds splenic blood vessels. The red pulp is a network of splenic cords (cords of Billroth) and…
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…is of two types, the red pulp and the white pulp, which do not separate into regions but intermingle and are distributed throughout the spleen. The white pulp is lymphoid tissue that usually surrounds splenic blood vessels. The red pulp is a network of splenic cords (cords of Billroth) and…
Read More