Medical Dictionary

Peyer's patch

noun Pey·er's patch \ ˈpī-ərz- \

medical Definition of Peyer's patch

: any of numerous large oval patches of closely aggregated nodules of lymphoid tissue in the walls of the small intestine especially in the ileum that partially or entirely disappear in advanced life and in typhoid fever become the seat of ulcers which may perforate the intestines — called also Peyer's gland

Biographical Note for peyer's patch

Peyer, Johann Conrad (1653–1712), Swiss physician and anatomist. Peyer was one of a group of physicians in the late 17th century who made important contributions to the methodology of medical research. They sought to explain the symptoms of a disease in terms of the lesion, which was considered the site of the disease. In 1677 Peyer published the first description of the nodules of lymphoid tissue in the small intestine that are now associated with his name.