Ultrastructure of the human palatine tonsil and its functional significance

Abstract

The human palatine tonsils represent a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue with a significant function in mucosal protection against alimentary and airborne pathogens. The ultrastructure of different morphological compartments in the human palatine tonsil was studied in eighteen tonsils obtained from the patients who had undergone elective tonsillectomy due to chronic tonsillitis. The tonsillar specimens were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed the presence of tight junctions between superficial epithelial cells of the oropharyngeal tonsillar surface. The crypt epithelium is a sponge-like structure infiltrated by non-epithelial cells, mostly lymphocytes, and is characterized by the presence of small pores - microcrypts occupied by large microvillus cells and/or lymphocytes. Antigen-presenting Langerhans cells with typical intracytoplasmic Birbeck granules were also found in the crypt epithelium. The lymphoid follicles are composed of lymphocytes and two types of non-lymphoid follicular cells: small fibroblast-like cells and large cells, morphologically consistent with antigen-bearing follicular dendritic cells or macrophages. The interfollicular areas consisted of a dense network of reticular cells and reticular fibers; many lymphocytes were interspersed between the reticular fibers. In addition to arterioles and high endothelial venules in the interfollicular lymphoid tissue, some fenestrated capillaries were seen intraepithelially and subepithelially. The complex ultrastructure of the human palatine tonsil provides a microenvironment necessary for antigen uptake, antigen processing and immune response.