Every day, the human body is forced to fight the penetration of various foreign agents into the body. Pathogenic microorganisms, viruses, fungi and parasites enter us through damaged skin, digestive system, nasal mucosa and pharynx and cause various diseases. And only thanks to immunity (the word is formed from the Latin immunitas and literally means “to liberate from something”) we defend ourselves against such a large-scale invasion. Of great importance is the lymphoid tissue, which is distributed throughout the body and totals 1% of the total body weight. So what is it?
Definition
One of the varieties of connective tissue in which the system of macrophages and lymphocytes is located is called lymphoid. It can be presented in the form of separate organs, or it can simply be a functioning part of the body. Lymphoid tissue is found in organs such as bone marrow and spleen, lymph nodes and thymus gland. In them, it is a functioning parenchyma.
In the mucous membrane of some organs, there are also accumulations of lymphoid tissue - bronchi, urinary tract, kidneys, intestines and others.
Functions
In all defense reactions without exception, the main part is lymphoid tissue. The lymphocytes, macrophages and blasts contained in it, plasma cells, mast cells and white blood cells protect the body from invading foreign cells and remove damaged cells of the body itself. The lymph nodes, thymus and intestinal tissue (lymphoid) are responsible for the formation of cells of the immune system.
If a bacterium or virus enters through the damaged skin, a defense reaction is activated in the lymph node closest to the site of penetration, lymphoid cells and macrophages are released, which move together with the lymph and blood to the place of detection of the “alien”. In the case of a mass attack, when it is not possible to cope with the forces of one lymph node, the entire immune system is turned on.
Structure
Lymphoid tissue most often represents free cells supported in a grid of reticular fibers. The network can be more dense in composition (forms a dense tissue) or loose (with spaces where free cells can freely move). The fibers themselves are formed from type III collagen.
Congestion places
In places most likely to be affected by foreign organisms, large accumulations of lymphoid tissue are located. Tonsils familiar to all are lymphoid tissue of the pharynx located on the border with the oral cavity. They are pharyngeal, palatine, trumpet and larynx. The totality of all the tonsils and regions is the lymphoid tissue of the nasopharynx.
Its function is very important for our health, because it neutralizes microbes that enter through the mouth and nose. And together with organs containing lymphoid tissue, it ensures the formation of the necessary number of lymphocytes for the whole organism.
Among other things, the lymphoid tissue in the throat interacts with the endocrine glands (adrenal glands, thyroid, thymus, pancreas), forming a close connection "pituitary gland - adrenal cortex - lymphatic tissue" before puberty.
What is hypertrophy?
A child from three to ten years old may develop hypertrophy of the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils, while its functioning is not impaired. Only with the onset of the puberty does hypertrophic tissue begin to decrease.
It is not known exactly what this process is associated with, but the alleged causes are inflammation of the pharynx or infection, various endocrine disorders. Hypertrophy can lead to frequent inflammation or pathological changes in the ears, nose, and larynx.
If nasal breathing is disturbed, lung ventilation is weakened. Later, this leads to a change in the composition of the blood - hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells decreases, and white blood cells increase in number. Further, the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, adrenal glands begin to be disturbed. Violation of all processes leads to a delay in the growth and sexual development of the child.
What is hyperplasia
The term "hyperplasia" came to us from the Greek language and means super-education. At its core, this is a pathology in which cells begin to multiply intensively, increasing the volume of tissue.
But lymphoid hyperplasia is not a disease, but a symptom. The response of the body to the occurrence of an infection or inflammatory process in the body. Outwardly, this is especially noticeable on the lymph nodes. Three types of lymph node hyperplasia are distinguished :
- Infectious. The immune response to any infection leads to the development of lymphocytes and macrophages in a fast mode, this causes the growth of lymphoid tissue.
- Reactive. Bacteria and microbes enter the lymph node, the products of their vital activity accumulate there, toxins secreted by them, causing, in turn, the active isolation of macrophage cells.
- Malignant. Any cells of the lymph node can be involved in this pathological process, which leads to a change in its size, shape and structure.
Lymphoid tissue is one of the most important components of the body’s immune system. It helps to prevent many diseases even before the infection gets inside with food and air. It performs other functions, the mechanism of which is still not fully understood.
Sometimes lymphoid tissue becomes inflamed, and diseases such as appendicitis, tonsillitis and many others appear (depending on the location of the lymphoid tissue). Very often in such cases, doctors resort to surgical methods of treatment, in other words, they remove the affected area or organ. Since all the functions of lymphoid formations are not fully understood, it cannot be completely asserted that such removal does not harm the human body.