Bone Marrow and Thymus
The bone marrow is primarily located in the ribs, vertebrae, sternum, and bones of the pelvis. All cells of the immune system are created in the bone marrow from a common type of starting cell, called a stem cell. These stem cells later develop into specific cell types, including red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. This cell generation occurs every day in our body. The thymus produces progenitor cells, which mature into T cells, these help our body to destroy infected or dangerous cells. The thymus is located behind the sternum.
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Organs involved in the Immune System
Lymph Nodes and Vessels
Lymph nodes tend to be most prevalent in areas near body openings, such as the digestive tract and the genital region, because this is where pathogens most often enter the body, but they are in many body parts. They act as filters for foreign particles and cancer cells, but they do not have a detoxification function. Two vessel systems are critical to the immune function of lymph nodes, blood vessels, lymph, a fluid rich in immune system cells and signaling chemicals, travels from the blood into body tissues via capillaries. Lymphatic fluid collects pathogens and debris in the tissues. Then the lymphatic fluid containing immune cells enters draining lymph nodes where it is filtered. And Lymphatic vessels, once filtration is complete, lymph vessels carry this fluid toward the heart. The lymphatic vessels are located in the spaces between cells throughout the body.
Spleen
The spleen is particularly important in protecting people from bacterial infections, such as meningococcus and pneumococcus. The spleen is located under the ribcage and above the stomach in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Skin
Skin serves as an important physical barrier from many of the disease-causing agents that we come into contact with on a daily basis. Skin is located on all our body.