Peyer's Patches

Peyer's patches (or Peyer patches) are round or ovoid bundles of lymphatic tissue made up of unencapsulated lymphatic cells that protect the mucous membranes of the small intestines (the ileum) from infection. While the complete role and function of these mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues is uncertain, they contain lymphocytes such as T cells and B cells so that when an infection occurs, the Peyer patches can protect the interior of the intestine. Peyer's patches also can mitigate the...