Organs of the Immune System

The immune system is a complex system of protecting the body from infections, diseases and other external influences. It consists of several organs that are capable of producing or storing lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell of lymphoid origin that produces antibodies. Let's take a closer look at the main organs of the immune system.

Red bone marrow is an organ that is found inside the bones and is responsible for the production of blood cells, including lymphocytes. Red bone marrow is the site of formation of immune cells and plays an important role in the development of the immune system.

Lymph nodes are organs that are located throughout the body and serve as filters for lymph, the fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes contain large numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages, which help fight infections.

The spleen is an organ that is located in the upper left side of the abdomen. It plays an important role in filtering the blood and destroying old or damaged blood cells. The spleen is also a site of accumulation of lymphocytes.

The plates of Paye are small organs that are found in the intestines and help protect the body from infections caused by digestion. The plates of Paye contain a large number of lymphocytes and immune cells.

The thymus is an endocrine gland that is located in the chest, behind the sternum. The thymus plays an important role in the development of immune functions. In the first years of life, the thymus actively participates in the development of the immune system, reaching its maximum mass during puberty. Then, when a person reaches puberty, this gland undergoes reverse development and stops working.

Lymphocytes are cells of the immune system that play an important role in fighting infections and disease. They produce antibodies as a reaction to the presence of microbes in the body. Antibodies are proteins that rush to antigens - toxic substances of microbes. The mission of antibodies is to selectively fight the harmful effects of antigens by attaching themselves to them. This antigen-antibody reaction, occurring in the blood plasma, forms the primary immune reaction that neutralizes foreign molecules or microbes containing them. In addition, lymphocytes are endowed with “immune memory”: they remember how a specific antibody is formed for a particular antigen. This means that if the same antigen penetrates a second time into the same organism, the formation of antibodies proceeds much faster and more of them are formed. This reaction is called a secondary immune reaction.

It is important to note that all organs of the immune system work in close cooperation with each other. Lymphoid cells produced by one organ can move to other organs, where they perform their functions. As a result, coordination and integration of the immune system into a single integrity occurs.

In conclusion, the immune system organs play an important role in protecting the body from various infections and diseases. Red bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, plates of Payer and thymus are all important for the formation and development of the immune system. Lymphocytes play a key role in the body's defense by producing antibodies and storing antigens for future protection. It is important to remember the specific role of each organ in the immune system and how they work together to provide the body with complete protection.