Biomaterial Database

The normal human appendix: a light and electron microscopic study. 1978

P Gorgollón

Human appendices from 3 to 12 years old children were studied by light and electron microscopy. Three morphological zones were determined: sub-epithelial (or lymphoid lamina propria), parafollicular, and follicular. The fine structure of these regions has been studied and discussed with regard to the thymus-dependent and thymus-independent regions of other lymphoid organs. Two types of lymphocytes, 'light' and 'dark', and intermediate forms, were also found. The light ones are the more abundant in the epithelium and within the parafollicular post-capillary venules; they form groups or clusters between epithelial cells, becoming like blast cells and possibly maturing into plasma cells in the sub-epithelial region. Whether light lymphocytes are T or B or both is discussed. The general conclusion is that the human appendix, at least in children, has the characteristics of a well-developed lymphoid organ, suggesting that it has important immunological functions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008214	Lymphocytes	White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS.	Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009092	Mucous Membrane	An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa.	Lamina Propria,Mucosa,Mucosal Tissue,Muscularis Mucosae,Mucous Membranes,Membrane, Mucous,Membranes, Mucous,Mucosae, Muscularis,Mucosal Tissues,Propria, Lamina,Tissue, Mucosal,Tissues, Mucosal
D010950	Plasma Cells	Specialized forms of antibody-producing B-LYMPHOCYTES. They synthesize and secrete immunoglobulin. They are found only in lymphoid organs and at sites of immune responses and normally do not circulate in the blood or lymph. (Rosen et al., Dictionary of Immunology, 1989, p169 & Abbas et al., Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 2d ed, p20)	Plasmacytes,Cell, Plasma,Cells, Plasma,Plasma Cell,Plasmacyte
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004847	Epithelial Cells	Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body by forming cellular layers (EPITHELIUM) or masses. Epithelial cells lining the SKIN; the MOUTH; the NOSE; and the ANAL CANAL derive from ectoderm; those lining the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM and the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM derive from endoderm; others (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM) derive from mesoderm. Epithelial cells can be classified mainly by cell shape and function into squamous, glandular and transitional epithelial cells.	Adenomatous Epithelial Cells,Columnar Glandular Epithelial Cells,Cuboidal Glandular Epithelial Cells,Glandular Epithelial Cells,Squamous Cells,Squamous Epithelial Cells,Transitional Epithelial Cells,Adenomatous Epithelial Cell,Cell, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cell, Epithelial,Cell, Glandular Epithelial,Cell, Squamous,Cell, Squamous Epithelial,Cell, Transitional Epithelial,Cells, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cells, Epithelial,Cells, Glandular Epithelial,Cells, Squamous,Cells, Squamous Epithelial,Cells, Transitional Epithelial,Epithelial Cell,Epithelial Cell, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cell, Glandular,Epithelial Cell, Squamous,Epithelial Cell, Transitional,Epithelial Cells, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cells, Glandular,Epithelial Cells, Squamous,Epithelial Cells, Transitional,Glandular Epithelial Cell,Squamous Cell,Squamous Epithelial Cell,Transitional Epithelial Cell
D004848	Epithelium	The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body.	Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001065	Appendix	A worm-like blind tube extension from the CECUM.	Vermiform Appendix,Appendix, Vermiform