Peyer's Patches

Peyer's patches are a component of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). They are commonly found in the ileum (though they are present in other segments of small intestine). The lymphoid tissue lies right beneath the mucosal layer. M-cells are a specialized epithelial cell that reside above Peyer's patches and take up antigen from the lumen of the intestine. Note the presence of a germinal center within the Peyer’s patch.