Tasks of the lymphatic organs | Lymphatic organs

Tasks of the lymphatic organs

The immune defense is the ability of the immune cells to distinguish between the body’s own cells and foreign cells and to destroy the structures recognized as foreign. The transport function comprises on the one hand the transport of tissue fluid into the veins and on the other hand, food fats can reach their target organ directly via the lymphatic vessels without prior contact with the liver. Common to them is the accumulation of immune cells called lymphocytes.

They can destroy foreign cells, called antigens, through an immune reaction and thus have an important protective function for the body. A distinction is made between B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. The B-lymphocytes mature into so-called memory cells and plasma cells which form antibodies against antigens and thus promote an indirect and rapid immune defence and additionally fight already known antigens more quickly. T-lymphocytes serve for direct attack and destruction of the unwanted cells.

Lymphatic tissue in the throat

The lymphatic tissue of the throat is summarized as the so-called Waldeyer pharyngeal ring. It consists of the tonsils and lymph follicles. The tonsils have the function of immunological guards and are located in the nasal cavities and throat.

In contrast, the lymph follicles are distributed throughout the entire mucous membrane tissue. The term tonsils includes the pharyngeal tonsil, which is located on the upper side of the throat, the paired palatal tonsils, the lingual tonsil and the paired tubular tonsils. During an examination of the oral cavity, the palatine tonsils in particular can be easily inspected.

For this purpose, the examiner can shine a lamp into the patient’s open mouth and additionally press down the tongue with a wooden spatula. Especially in the case of viral or bacterial infections, the tonsils become enlarged. They may also contain pus deposits or remnants of dead cells.

The increase in size can lead to a narrowing of the airways and to swallowing difficulties.The pharyngeal tonsil is also frequently altered by an infection and can lead to obstruction of the upper airways, so that nasal breathing is impeded. Small children in particular are affected by this, with frequently recurring infections of the nasopharynx. An increased lymphatic reaction leads to an enlargement of the pharyngeal tonsil, which results in so-called adenoid polyps. Surgical removal of these can be considered in order to improve breathing.