The army inside our body

When it comes to security, few will question the need to invest billions of dollars in well-trained soldiers, sophisticated weaponry, around the clock surveillance and advance back up defenses. Similarly, each one us is also equipped with an internal army that is as, if not more, efficient. The only dispute is that its enemies are invisible to the naked eye.

The human body is constantly under threat from potentially dangerous and infectious microbes that are present all around us. Eventually lethal invaders are ready and waiting to enter the body’s various gateways and catches us off ground.

Luckily, our body is secure by the state of an art the immune system. Our immune army never leaves enemies for granted. An inching throat or tearing eyes are subtle signs that it is hard at work. Ironically, maybe because we do not see it, we frequently ignore this. We remember almost protecting our heart, skin and other organs but rarely consider the health of the immune system. Only when it is jeopardized and we fall ill do we even take notice.

The immune system is really an astonishing piece of work. At any granted second, it can name upon a complex and concerted effort from countless different immune battalions. Their matching efforts work ceaselessly to protect us not only from external invaders but also from our own internal cells, which can mutate and become cancerous. Without the steady protection of our immune system, a simple dust particle could kill us.

The immune system does not constitute one specific organ or location in the body. Instead, it involves various different organs, cells and chemicals working in well-oiled harmony.

Our skin is the first layer of defense. Unless cut, punctured, or otherwise compromised, the skin protects us from invaders by secreting antibacterial substances like sweat, tears or sebum that trap and break down the cell walls of invaders.

Once the infiltrator goes by the skin and other initial defenses, other protectors roar into action. These include our lymphoid organs and white blood cells, which work together via a circulating system of lymph fluid and blood to kill invaders before they can reproduce.

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Our major lymphoid organs are the thymus and bone marrow. Eventually are supported by peripheral lymphoid organs like lymph nodes and the spleen. Recent studies indicate that two organs previously considered unnecessary, the appendix and the tonsils, actually play important supporting roles within the immune system.