Comparison of primary and secondary lymphoid organs

COMPARISON OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LYMPHOID ORGANS

Characteristics

Primary Lymphoid organs

Secondary Lymphoid organs

Origin

Ecto-endodermal junction or endoderm

Mesoderm

Time of development

Early in embryonic life

Late in foetal life

Persistence

Involutes after puberty

Persists through adult life

Effects of removal

Loss of lymphocytes and
immune response

Minimal or no effects

Response to antigen

Not dependent

Fully reactive

Examples

Bone marrow, thymus, bursa,
Some peyer’s patches

Spleen, lymph nodes, MALT etc.


Last modified: Saturday, 5 February 2011, 7:20 AM