Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where do B lymphocytes mature in the human body?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Diagram of the human lymphatic system highlighting lymphatic vessels and major lymphoid organs, including lymph nodes, adenoids, tonsils, thymus gland, spleen, appendix, bone marrow, and ducts. — lymphatic system The human lymphatic system, showing the lymphatic vessels and lymphoid organs.

In humans, B lymphocytes (or B cells) mature in the bone marrow.12

While all lymphocytes originate from stem cells located in the bone marrow, those destined to become B lymphocytes remain there to complete their maturation process before being released into the bloodstream. Once mature, they travel to secondary lymphoid organs, such as the spleen or lymph nodes, where they may undergo further differentiation upon encountering foreign antigens.12