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Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues
Chapter 19, Problem 9

Collections of lymphoid tissue (MALT) that guard mucosal surfaces include all of the following except a. appendix follicles, b. the tonsils, c. Peyer's patches, d. the thymus.

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1
Understand that MALT stands for Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue, which is a collection of lymphoid tissues that protect the mucosal surfaces of the body.
Recognize that MALT includes structures like the tonsils, Peyer's patches, and appendix follicles, which are strategically located to guard against pathogens entering through mucosal surfaces.
Recall that the thymus is primarily involved in the maturation of T-cells and is not located at mucosal surfaces, thus it is not considered part of MALT.
Review the options given: appendix follicles, the tonsils, Peyer's patches, and the thymus.
Identify the option that does not belong to MALT by considering its primary function and location, which in this case is the thymus.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)

MALT refers to collections of lymphoid tissues found in mucosal surfaces, playing a crucial role in the immune response. It includes structures such as the tonsils, Peyer's patches in the intestines, and appendix follicles, which help protect against pathogens entering through mucosal surfaces.
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Secondary Lymphoid Organs: MALT Example 1

Tonsils

Tonsils are lymphoid tissues located in the throat that act as the first line of defense against ingested or inhaled pathogens. They are part of MALT and help in the production of antibodies and the activation of immune responses.
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Tonsils

Thymus

The thymus is a specialized organ located in the chest that is essential for the development of T-cells, a type of white blood cell crucial for adaptive immunity. Unlike MALT, the thymus is not associated with mucosal surfaces and does not function as a barrier against pathogens.
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Introduction to the Thymus