MALT Anatomy Quiz: Identify Mucosae-Associated Lymphatic Tissue Structures

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the mucosa associated lymphatic tissue (MALT)?

To produce hormones that regulate digestion

To regulate the movement of food through the digestive tract

To protect against invaders from the external environment (correct)

To facilitate the absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract

What percentage of the body's immune cells are found in the MALT?

90%

30%

50%

70% (correct)

What type of cells are most prevalent in the MALT?

B cells (correct)

T cells

Macrophages

Dendritic cells

What is the characteristic of the epithelium that covers the palatine tonsils?

It is non-keratinized Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary site of invasion by pathogens in the body?

Mucosa of the digestive, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the invaginations sent by the epithelium into the substance of the tonsil?

Crypts Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the mucosal connective tissue in the digestive, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts?

To protect against pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What are the structures found under the epithelium and around the crypts of the tonsils?

Lymphatic nodules with a germinal center Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the lymphocytes in the MALT?

Most are B cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the lymphoid nodules in the MALT?

To present antigens to immune cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the palatine tonsils?

In the lateral walls of the oral part of pharynx Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the epithelium that covers the tonsils?

It is non-keratinized Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the structures that contain many lymphatic follicles under the mucous membrane of the tongue and pharynx?

Tonsils Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the crypts in the tonsils?

To trap pathogens and debris Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the lymphatic nodules and the crypts in the tonsils?

The lymphatic nodules are around the crypts Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the lymphatic tissue in the MALT?

It is diffuse and scattered Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mucosa Associated Lymphatic Tissue (MALT)

MALT is a collection of lymphocytes, IgA-secreting plasma cells, antigen presenting cells, and lymphoid nodules in the mucosal connective tissue of the digestive, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts.
These tracts are common sites of invasion by pathogens due to their lumens opening to the external environment.
MALT contains up to 70% of all the body's immune cells, with most of them being B cells.

Structure of MALT

Immune cells in MALT are dispersed diffusely in the connective tissue.
Some immune cells are found in aggregates forming large structures such as the tonsils, Peyer's patches in the ileum, and the appendix.

Tonsils

Tonsils are aggregates of incompletely encapsulated lymphoid organs.
They contain many lymphatic follicles that underlie the mucous membrane of the tongue and pharynx.
Depending on their location, tonsils are called palatine, pharyngeal, or lingual tonsils.

Palatine Tonsils

Palatine tonsils are two tonsils located in the lateral walls of the oral part of the pharynx.
They are covered by non-keratinized Stratified Squamous epithelium, which sends deep invaginations called crypts into the substance of the tonsil.
Each tonsil has many crypts.
Lymphatic nodules with a germinal center are present under the epithelium and around the crypts, embedded in diffuse lymphatic tissue.

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Description

Test your knowledge of MALT, a diffuse collection of immune cells in the mucosal connective tissue of the digestive, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts. Learn about its role in protecting against pathogens and its composition.