lymphoid follicle

Introduction

Sperical aggregates of lymphoid tissue located in the cortex or peripheral portion of lymph nodes. Upon antigenic stimulation, primary follicles enlarge & develop pale-staining germinal centers composed of follicular center cells. Surrounding the germinal centers are small, unchallenged B-cells. T-cells occupy the parafollicular regions.

Normal antigen induced transformation of B-cells in germinal centers of lymphoid follicles:

perifollicular lymphocyte

-> small cleaved lymphocyte

-> large cleaved lymphocyte

-> small non-cleaved lymphocyte

-> large non-cleaved lymphocyte

-> immunoblast

-> peripheral plasma cell & memory B-cells

More general terms

• follicle

Additional terms

• follicular center cell
• lymph node

Component of

• lymph node