Anthracosis

Anthracosis in the bronchial lymph nodes of a 5-year-old West Highland White Terrier. As organs responsible for the body’s first line of defence, the lymph nodes act as sentinels and filters for the fluids drained from the various organs and tissues, via the lymphatic vessels. In the microscopy images shown, deposition of anthracotic pigment, originating in the inhaled pollutant gases and drained from the lungs, can be seen. The pigment takes the shape of intensely black granules frequently found within the cytoplasm of macrophagic cells.