The Body at Work: A Treatise on the Principles of PhysiologyHill, Alex
Science
The Body at Work: A Treatise on the Principles of Physiology
Hill, Alex
Physiology
It presents no special structure, but its
spaces are packed with leucocytes in various stages of cell division,
and young leucocytes, or lymphocytes, as they are usually named. Some
of the lymphocytes make their way into the blood or into the lymph.
Others, acquiring their full dimensions, scour the epithelium which
lines the respiratory tract for germs and other foreign bodies which
are drawn into the tract with inspired air. They may be seen pushing
aside the cells of the lower strata of the epithelium, on their way to
the surface, or returning to the subepithelial connective tissue with
germs, or particles of soot, or débris of epithelial cells which they
have taken into their substance (Fig. 4, B).
The tonsils are examples of follicular lymphoid structures. They lie
one on either side of the entrance to the gullet, between the two
folds (the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces) by which
the soft palate is continued to the side of the tongue. Normally the
tonsil is not visible, but when inflamed it may project sufficiently
to be seen; and its surface may then be covered with mucus and pus.
It is liable to become enlarged in childhood, owing to chronic
inflammation. A section of the tonsil shows it to consist of clusters
of lymph-follicles lying beneath the mucous membrane. The term
“follicle” is unfortunate. It conveys no idea of the form or structure
of one of these masses of lymph-cells; and it is, besides, applied to
things of an entirely different character—for example, the pits of
mucous membrane which sink down between the masses of lymphoid tissue
in the tonsil. The expression “follicular tonsillitis” does not refer
to the lymph-follicles, but to the epithelial pits. It is a condition
in which a drop of pus is to be seen in the mouth of each of the pits.
A lymph-follicle is a small rounded clump of connective tissue, denser
on its periphery than in its centre. Its bloodvessels are disposed
chiefly on the periphery. Lymphatic streamlets arise in the centre.
Its outer portion is closely packed with dividing lymph-cells and
young leucocytes, which as fast as they are formed migrate towards
the centre, and eventually escape from the follicle by the lymphatic
vessels. The connective tissue which invests and separates the
follicles is full of leucocytes. Removal of the tonsils is followed by
no ill effects. They are not essential to our well-being. Nevertheless,
they have important functions to perform. They are barracks crowded
with leucocytes, which guard the pass into the alimentary canal. Their
leucocytes incessantly patrol the mucous membrane, capturing germs,
removing fragments of injured epithelium, striving to make good the
mischief to which this part of the alimentary canal is peculiarly
liable. The enlargement of the tonsil which results from frequent
sore throat is a response to the demand for an increase in the supply
of these little scavengers, in order that they may cope, not only
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