Lymphoid tissues and organs- The role of Thymus and Bone Marrow

Immune system is made up of lymphoid tissues and organs, the immune cells cooperate with each other to carry out their functions. Lymphoid organs are divided into primary lymphoid organ and secondary lymphoid organs. The thymus and bone marrow are referred as primary lymphoid tissues.

The primary lymphoid Organs

Bone Marrow

T and B lineage cells both arise from a subset of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in the bone marrow or fetal live that become committed to the lymphoid pathway of development. Human B lymphocyte development take place entirely within the bone marrow. T cells on other hand develop from immature precursor that leave the bone marrow and travel through the blood stream to the thymus, where they proliferate and differentiate into mature T – lymphocytes.

Thymus

Thymus

The thymus is consists of thymic stromal cells and thymocytes. The fully developed thymus consists of two lobes, each comprising multiple lobes. Thymus is the primary site at which T lymphocytes develop and become functionally competent.