Lymph Node

~ An integral part of the lymphatic system.

~ Forms a very important component of the body's immune system.

~ Lymphatic system is made out of lymph nodes and lymphatic ducts.( spreads throughout the body )

~ Transport lymph ( fluid ) washed the tissues around the cells.

~ Lymph contains a lot of white blood cells ( lymphocytes,which produce antibodies to counter foreign substances ( bacterias & viruses ) that enter the body ),fluid from the intestines(chyle) and some red blood cells.

~ Lymph re-enters our blood vessels through our veins.

~ Lymph nodes are clusters of cells that are surrounded by a capsule.

~ The lymphatic ducts enter and come out of them.

~ Lymph nodes are " clean up " centres in the body where bacteria and viruses are forced to go through ( thus encountering massive numbers of lymphocytes )

~ One of the biggest clusters of lymph nodes is located in the spleen.

~ Most lymph nodes are very small and bean-shaped.

~ They enlarges when there is an underlying disease process going on in the body.

~ They enlarges or swollen in your neck,under your chin,in your armpits,in your groin,( any lymph node throughout the body can be enlarged )

~ Causes a lymph node to swell : -

( i ) Infection : number of white blood cells fight the foreign body invasion multiply.)

( ii ) Inflammation : infiltration with inflammatory cells during an infection.

( iii ) Cancer : Infiltration with cancer cells in a process called metastases. ( cancer cells are " brought " to the node through lymph flowing from the primary cancer )

( iv ) blood cancers : uncontrolled,malignant multiplication of lymphocytes as in lymphoma or leukaemia result in enlarged nodes.

~ Lymph nodes with infection are tender to the touch appear and swell quickly ( 1-2 days) accompanied with signs and symptoms of the infection . ( fever,sore throat,cough,etc) they subside to their normal size when the infection is treated .