Home > Immunology
Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with, among other things, the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ( autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency, allograph rejection); the physical characteristics of organs in the immune system; and in vitro, in vivo and in situ chemical and physiological properties of biological components of the immune system. Immunology has various applications in several disciplines of science, and as such is further categorised accordingly.1 Histological examination of the immune system
Before even the concept of immunity was developed numerous early physicians characterised organs that would later prove to be part of the immune system. The key organs of the immune system are the thymus, spleenThe spleen is a ductless, vertebrate gland that is not necessary for life but is closely associated with the circulatory system, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and removal of other debris from the bloodstream, and also in hol, bone marrowBone marrow is the tissue comprising the center of large bones. It is the place where new blood cells are produced. Bone marrow contains stem cells which produce three types of blood cells: leukocytes, red blood cells, and platelets. Long bones" are tubul lymph nodeLymph nodes are components of the lymphatic system. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen. Lymph nodes act as filters, with an internal honeycomb of connective tissue filled with lymphocytes that collect and ds (including major lymph nodes such as tonsilThe tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. An infection of the tonsils is called Tonsillitis As with other organs of the lymphatic system, the tonsils act as part of the immune system to help protect against infection. In partis, and adenoidAdenoids or pharyngeal tonsils are folds of lymphatic tissue covered by ciliated epithelium. They are found in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx at the back of the throat behind the uvula. Adenoids are part of the immune system as they trap is), lymph vesselsIn mammals including humans, the lymphatic vessels (or lymphatics are a network of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into tissues throughout the body. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph a colorless, watery fluid originating from interstitial fluid (f and various tissue associated lymphoid tissues. The major organs, the thymus and spleen, are really only histologicallyHistology is the microscopic study of tissues—their formation, structure and function. Related biosciences include: cytology and cell biology, which are at a level below tissues, studying cells; anatomy, which is at a level above tissues, studying organs; examined post-mortem during autopsyFor the former Death Metal band called "Autopsy", see Autopsy (band). An autopsy (also known as a post-mortem examination or necropsy is a medical investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death. General Information The term "autopsy" derives fr. However some lymph nodes, and accessory lymphid tissue can be surgically excised for examination while patients are still alive.
Many components of the immune system are actually cellular in nature and not associated with any specific organ, but imbedded or circulating in various tissues located about the body.
2 Classical immunology
Classical immunology ties in with the fields of epidemiology and medicine. It studies the relationship between the body's systems, pathogens and immunity. The earliest written mention of immunity can be traced back to the plague of Athens in 430 BC. Thucydides noted that people who had recovered from a previous bout of the disease could nurse the sick without coming down with the illness a second time. Many other ancient societies have references to this phenomenom but it was not until the 19th and 20th centuries before the concept developed into scientic theory.
The study of the cellular and molecular components that comprise the immune system, including their function and interaction is the central science of immunology. The immune system has been divided into innate immune responses , and adaptive immune responses , the latter of which is further divided into humoral and cellular components.
The mainstay of classical immunology has been the interaction between antibodies and antigens. Without an understanding of the properties of these two biological entities, much of immunology would be non-existent.
In the 21st century though, immunology has broadened its horizons with much reserach being performed into more specialised niches of immunology. This includes the immunological function of cells, organs and systems not normally associated with immunology, as well as the function of the immune system outside of clasiscal models of immunity.
