Gut-associated lymphoid tissue
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
The digestive tract's immune system is often referred to as gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and works to protect the body from invasion. GALT is an example of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
Function
About 70% of the body's immune system is found in the digestive tract. The GALT is made up of several types of lymphoid tissue that produce and store immune cells that carry out attacks and defend against pathogens.
New research indicates that GALT may continue to be a major site of HIV activity, even if drug treatment has reduced HIV count in the peripheral blood.[citation needed]
Components
Lymphoid tissue in the gut is comprised of the following :
- Tonsils (Waldeyer's ring)
- Adenoids (Pharyngeal tonsils)
- Peyer's patches
- Lymphoid aggregates in the appendix and large intestine
- Lymphoid tissue accumulating with age in the stomach
- Small lymphoid aggregates in the oesophagus
- Diffusely distributed lymphoid cells and plasma cells in the lamina propria of the gut
Additional images
External links
- Histology at Boston University 12502loa - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: colon, taenia coli"
- Histology at Boston University 11102loa - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: esophageal/stomach junction"
de:Darmassoziiertes Immunsystem
Immune system: Lymphatic system (Lymph, Lymphocytes) | |
|---|---|
| Primary | Bone marrow – Thymus (Hassall's corpuscles) |
| Secondary: Spleen (process blood) | Hilum – Trabeculae
Red pulp (Cords of Billroth, Marginal zone) White pulp (Periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths, Germinal center) Trabecular arteries – Trabecular veins |
| Secondary: Lymph nodes (process extracellular fluid) | Afferent lymph vessels - Cortical sinuses - Medullary sinuses - Efferent lymph vessels
T cells: High endothelial venules B cells: Primary follicle/Germinal center - Mantle zone - Marginal zone Lymph node capsule - Subcapsular sinus - Cortex - Paracortex - Medulla (Medullary cord) - Hilus Lymph node trabeculae |
| Secondary: MALT (process mucosa) | GALT – Peyer's patches – Germinal center |
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