In: Biology
What are the organs of the immune system? Primary vs Secondary immune organs? What is the difference between these?
The organs of the immune system are called, "lymphoid organs." Lymphatic organs are the anatomical locations, which are at least partial connective tissue capsules, which separate the surrounding tissue from the lymphatic tissue. Examples include tonsils, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes. The spleen is the largest lymphatic organ located in the upper left abdominal region, posterior to the stomach.
Th primary lymphoid organs include bone marrow and thymus. The secondary lymphoid organs include lymph nodes, appendix, Peyer's patches, MALT, spleen, adenoids, and tonsils.
The primary lymphoid organs are located central to the body, and their function is to generate lymphocytes from the immature progenitor cells.
The secondary lymphoid organs are located in the periphery, and their function is to provide an environment for the lymphocytes to interact with the foreign cells or the altered naive molecules.