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15.1: Main Components

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    84124

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    The immune system contains a diverse group of structures and cells that are spread throughout the body (Figure 15.1). These structures include the thymus gland, red bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, other structures containing lymphatic tissues (tonsils, lining of the respiratory system and GI tract), and skin. These structures promote the development of the cells of this system and, together with blood and lymph, serve as the main repositories for them. Immune system cells include macrophages, Langerhans cells, and several types of lymphocytes. Special protein molecules called antibodies (see below) are also considered part of the immune system.

    clipboard_e2560b7ba686daf62ed6c1b4094dbb874.png
    Figure 15.1 Immune system structures. (Copyright 2020: Augustine G. DiGiovanna, Ph.D., Salisbury University, Maryland. Used with permission.)

    This page titled 15.1: Main Components is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Augustine G. DiGiovanna via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.