Spleen and Tonsils

Emile Leal

Part of the Lymphatic system, the spleen and tonsils play an important role in maintaining immunity against disease and promoting homeostasis. The spleen is a secondary lymphatic organ, and according to Tortora and Derrickson, it is “…the largest single mass of lymphatic tissue in the body” (2007, p.425). Located between the stomach and diaphragm, the spleen contains both white and red pulp which consists of various substances, such as lymphocytes, red blood cells, and plasma cells. While the white pulp concentrates mainly on carrying out immune responses through B and T cells and destroying harmful substances with macrophages, the red pulp has three primary functions: 1). Removing dead or damaged platelets and blood cells, 2). Storing up to one-third of the body’s supply of platelets, and 3). Producing a fetus’s blood cells (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007). In addition, the spleen also helps to control the amount of blood in the body (nlm.nih.gov, 2009).

The tonsils are also part of the secondary lymphatic organ and tissue group, and they are composed of a mass of lymphatic tissue known as “lymphatic nodules.” According to Tortora and Derrickson, there are five tonsils “…which form a ring at the junction of the oral cavity” (2007, p.425). One tonsil, the pharyngeal tonsil, is located in the upper part of the throat, while others, such as the palatine and lingual tonsils, are situated in the back of the mouth and at the base of the tongue (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007). Working along with the spleen and other lymphatic organs, the tonsils “…are strategically positioned to participate in immune responses against inhaled or ingested foreign substances” (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007, p.425). By developing the spleen and tonsils, God provided mankind with two more amazing bodily defenses against disease and illness. Psalm 139:13-14 speaks of God’s skill in “…knitting together…” human beings, and defensive organs and tissue such as the spleen and tonsils are yet another tangible example of His love and care.

Resources


Hayford, J.W. [Executive editor] (2002) The new spirit filled life bible. Nashville,


Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.


Spleen diseases. (2009, May) Retrieved June 16, 2009 from


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spleendiseases.html


Tortora, G.J. & Derrickson, B. (2007) Introduction to the human body: The

essentials of anatomy and physiology (7th edition). New York, NY: John

Wiley & Sons, Inc.