Human Body

Peyer’s Patches – Definition, Function, and Structure

Peyer’s patches refer to small masses of lymphatic tissue which are available in the small intestine. It is certainly an important part of the immune system. Students can learn more about Peyer’s patches and its functions here.

Definition and Meaning of Peyer’s Patches

Peyer’s patch refers to any of the nodules of lymphatic cells which aggregate to result in the formation of patches or bundles. Furthermore, they exist in the lower section of the small intestine which is known as the ileum. Also, they are called as aggregated lymphoid nodules.

The aggregated lymphoid nodules form a vital part of the immune system. This is because they monitor intestinal bacteria and also prevent the pathological bacteria growth in the intestines.

The shape of the aggregated lymphoid nodules has an egg-shaped appearance. Furthermore, they are similar in the structure to the lymph nodules. Moreover, no connective tissue capsule surrounds them

peyer's patches

An Immune System

The immune system exists all over the body. Furthermore, it is active everywhere in the body. Above all, it is able to take different forms in various organs of the body.

There are three main roles of the immunity system. These are- removing dead cells, destroying abnormal cell growth, and protecting the body from pathogens.

The gastrointestinal tract faces attack from a high number of pathogens which enter the body through foods and liquids. So, it is vital for the immune system to identify and destroy micro-organisms and various other toxins.

One problem is that the immune system could be that it may be treating every food particle as a possible threat. Therefore, the body would always suffer from sickness and inflammation due to immune response. This would make it impossible to eat food and receive energy. Most noteworthy, Peyer’s patch provides a solution to this problem.

Download the Toppr – Best Learning App for Android and iOS or signup for free.

Lymphoid Tissue Networks

The composition of Peyer’s patches is quite similar to the tissue in the spleen as well as in other parts of the body which are involved in the lymphatic system. Moreover, the lymphoid tissue consists of a large number of white blood cells. Also, the involvement of this kind of tissue is very high.

Mucus secreting membranes are an important part of the primary defense against pathogens. Furthermore, the mucosal lining of the nostril traps microbes before they enter the blood.

The lymphoid tissue is prevalent in mucosal areas. Similarly, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract is a mucous membrane and it has early contact with the foreign bodies.

The Structure and Number of Peyer’s Patches

An adult has 30 to 40 Peyer’s patches on average in the region of the small intestine. Furthermore, their number in the intestines drops significantly after the age of late 20s in humans.

The location of these patches is in the mucosa of the intestinal lining. Furthermore, the extent of the submucosa. The submucosa refers to a thin layer of tissue which connects the mucosa to the muscle layer of the intestines. The patches create a slight rounding in the mucosal lining’s surface.

The lumen refers to the empty space which is available inside the gastrointestinal tube. Moreover, this is the tube through which the matter after ingestion passes. Most noteworthy, lymph nodules are present inside of the patch. These lymph nodules are filled with white blood cells.

Solved Question on Peyer’s Patches

Q1 Which of the following statements is not true when it comes to Peyer’s patches?

A. It refers to small masses of lymphatic tissue which are available in the small intestine
B. They exist in the upper section of the small intestine
C. They form a vital part of the immune system
D. An adult has 30 to 40 Peyer’s patches on average

A1 The correct option is B., which is “they exist in the upper section of the small intestine.” This is because the correct statement is “they exist in the lower section of the small intestine which is known as the ileum.”

Share with friends

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in?
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Get ready for all-new Live Classes!
Now learn Live with India's best teachers. Join courses with the best schedule and enjoy fun and interactive classes.
tutor
tutor
Ashhar Firdausi
IIT Roorkee
Biology
tutor
tutor
Dr. Nazma Shaik
VTU
Chemistry
tutor
tutor
Gaurav Tiwari
APJAKTU
Physics
Get Started

4 responses to “Connective Tissue – Definition, Types, and Functions”

  1. shruti says:

    what are the types of connective tissues?

  2. Christa lee says:

    What is adipose tissue? Where is found in our body?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Watch lectures, practise questions and take tests on the go.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

No thanks.