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Tuberculous lymphadenitis
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<p>Peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis (or tuberculous adenitis) is a form of <a href="/facts/Tuberculosis/ggPyovAl">tuberculosis</a> infection occurring outside of the <a href="/facts/Lung/gTWXI6Fj">lungs</a>. In general, it describes tuberculosis infection of the <a href="/facts/Lymph_node/vkwfcQjH">lymph nodes</a>, leading to <a href="/facts/Lymphadenopathy/t7t4tEon">lymphadenopathy</a>. When <a href="/facts/Cervical_lymph_nodes/Korh0M99">cervical lymph nodes</a> are affected, it is commonly referred to as "<a href="/facts/Mycobacterial_cervical_lymphadenitis/tIfI1qrD">Scrofula</a>." A majority of tuberculosis infections affect the lungs, and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis infections account for the remainder; these most commonly involve the <a href="/facts/Lymphatic_system/yw5QLgMT">lymphatic system</a>. Although the cervical region is most commonly affected, tuberculous lymphadenitis can occur all around the body, including the <a href="/facts/Axillary_lymph_nodes/TRzc9Paf">axillary</a> and <a href="/facts/Inguinal_lymph_nodes/TXtVVIYm">inguinal</a> regions. </p><p>The characteristic <a href="/facts/Histopathology/9Eggjrg4">morphological</a> element is the tuberculous <a href="/facts/Granuloma/mqEhHfjS">granuloma</a> (caseating tubercule). This consists of <a href="/facts/Giant_multinucleated_cell/ggPyovAl">giant multinucleated cells</a> and (<a href="/facts/Langhans_giant_cell/8JcJy4d1">Langhans</a> cells), surrounded by <a href="/facts/Epithelioid_cell/R6SBUFfV">epithelioid cells</a> aggregates, T cell <a href="/facts/Lymphocytes/pS2pv2Ma">lymphocytes</a> and <a href="/facts/Fibroblasts/n08KsFll">fibroblasts</a>. Granulomatous tubercules eventually develop central caseous necrosis and tend to become confluent, replacing the lymphoid tissue. </p>