Howie A J
J Pathol. 1980 Feb;130(2):91-8. doi: 10.1002/path.1711300205.
Twelve human palatine tonsils were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The epithelium lining the tonsillar crypts was shown to be stratified squamous in type, with an extensive system of channels occupying nearly the full thickness of the epithelium. The channels were infiltrated by lymphocytes, plasma cells and mononuclear phagocytic cells. Specialised surface cells, or M cells, were also seen. These had microvilli and surrounded lymphocytes which were brought very close to the crypt lumen. The presence of numerous holes in the crypt epithelium was thought to be an artefact resulting from the delicate nature of the M cells. These showed the organisation of the epithelium related to the function of the tonsil as part of the gut-associated lymphoid tissues. The tonsil has similarities to other gut-associated lymphoid organs but also has its own particular features.
通过扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜对12个人类腭扁桃体进行了研究。结果显示，扁桃体隐窝内衬的上皮为复层鳞状上皮，有一个广泛的通道系统，几乎占据了上皮的全层。通道内浸润着淋巴细胞、浆细胞和单核吞噬细胞。还可见到特化的表面细胞，即M细胞。这些细胞有微绒毛，周围环绕着淋巴细胞，使淋巴细胞非常靠近隐窝腔。隐窝上皮中存在大量小孔被认为是M细胞脆弱性质导致的假象。这些显示了与作为肠道相关淋巴组织一部分的扁桃体功能相关的上皮组织。扁桃体与其他肠道相关淋巴器官有相似之处，但也有其自身的特点。
