Lymphocytes and the gut

Abstract

An increasing interest is being shown in the physiopathological relationship between lymphocytes and the intestinal tract. The possible importance of immune phenomena in the aetiology of a wide variety of bowel diseases is one reason for the interest. In this review aspects of the morphology, distribution and recirculation of lymphocytes with particular reference to the gut are discussed. Some tentative conclusions of the significance of alterations in disease are made.