What is the largest lymphoid organ in the body?

The spleen is recognized as the largest lymphoid organ in the body. It plays a crucial role in the immune system and has several important functions. The spleen is responsible for filtering blood, removing old or damaged red blood cells, and recycling iron. It also serves as a reservoir for blood and contains immune cells that help fight infections.

In contrast, lymph nodes are smaller, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph fluid and contain immune cells but are not as large as the spleen. The thymus, located behind the sternum, is essential for the development of T-cells, but it is much smaller than the spleen. Tonsils are lymphoid tissues located in the throat that help protect against pathogens entering through the oral and nasal cavities, but they are also smaller organs in comparison to the spleen. Thus, when considering size and overall involvement in lymphoid function, the spleen stands out as the largest lymphoid organ in the body.