Biomaterial Database

The Waldeyer's ring. 2000

P Hellings, and M Jorissen, and J L Ceuppens

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. Peter.Hellings@med.kuleuven.ac.be

The palatine tonsils, nasopharyngeal tonsil (adenoid) and lingual tonsil constitute the major part of Waldeyer's ring or nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), with the tubal tonsils and lateral pharyngeal bands as less prominent components. The lymphoid tissue of Waldeyer's ring is located at the gateway of the respiratory and alimentary tract and belongs to the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). As tonsils are the first site of encounter with inhaled and ingested micro-organisms, they are considered the first line of defense against exogenous aggressors. The generation of B cells in the germinal centers of the tonsil is one of the most essential tonsillar functions. This manuscript aims to review the anatomy and current knowledge on the immunologic function of the Waldeyer's ring.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007070	Immunoglobulin A	Represents 15-20% of the human serum immunoglobulins, mostly as the 4-chain polymer in humans or dimer in other mammals. Secretory IgA (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, SECRETORY) is the main immunoglobulin in secretions.	IgA,IgA Antibody,IgA1,IgA2,Antibody, IgA
D007074	Immunoglobulin G	The major immunoglobulin isotype class in normal human serum. There are several isotype subclasses of IgG, for example, IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B.	Gamma Globulin, 7S,IgG,IgG Antibody,Allerglobuline,IgG(T),IgG1,IgG2,IgG2A,IgG2B,IgG3,IgG4,Immunoglobulin GT,Polyglobin,7S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgG,GT, Immunoglobulin
D007075	Immunoglobulin M	A class of immunoglobulin bearing mu chains (IMMUNOGLOBULIN MU-CHAINS). IgM can fix COMPLEMENT. The name comes from its high molecular weight and originally was called a macroglobulin.	Gamma Globulin, 19S,IgM,IgM Antibody,IgM1,IgM2,19S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgM
D008221	Lymphoid Tissue	Specialized tissues that are components of the lymphatic system. They provide fixed locations within the body where a variety of LYMPHOCYTES can form, mature and multiply. The lymphoid tissues are connected by a network of LYMPHATIC VESSELS.	Lymphatic Tissue,Lymphatic Tissues,Lymphoid Tissues,Tissue, Lymphatic,Tissue, Lymphoid,Tissues, Lymphatic,Tissues, Lymphoid
D009305	Nasopharynx	The top portion of the pharynx situated posterior to the nose and superior to the SOFT PALATE. The nasopharynx is the posterior extension of the nasal cavities and has a respiratory function.	Rhinopharynx,Choanae,Nasopharynges,Nasopharynxes,Rhinopharynges,Rhinopharynxes
D002454	Cell Differentiation	Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs.	Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001402	B-Lymphocytes	Lymphoid cells concerned with humoral immunity. They are short-lived cells resembling bursa-derived lymphocytes of birds in their production of immunoglobulin upon appropriate stimulation.	B-Cells, Lymphocyte,B-Lymphocyte,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocytes,B Cells, Lymphocyte,B Lymphocyte,B Lymphocytes,B-Cell, Lymphocyte,Bursa Dependent Lymphocytes,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocyte,Lymphocyte B-Cell,Lymphocyte B-Cells,Lymphocyte, Bursa-Dependent,Lymphocytes, Bursa-Dependent
D013601	T-Lymphocytes	Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen.	T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte