Primary lymphoid organs

Definition

Primary lymphoid organs are anatomical structures where lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell crucial for the immune response, mature and differentiate. They include the bone marrow and the thymus, where B cells and T cells develop, respectively.

Related terms

Bone Marrow:

A soft tissue inside bones that functions as a primary lymphoid organ by producing new blood cells, including B cells.

Thymus:

An organ located behind the sternum that serves as a primary lymphoid organ where T cells mature.

Lymphocytes:

White blood cells that play a significant role in the body's immune response; they include B cells and T cells which originate and mature in primary lymphoid organs