Lymph node

A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a <a href="/facts/Kidney/HBspPrv9">kidney</a>-shaped <a href="/facts/Organ_(anatomy)/FUYsLaxz">organ</a> of the <a href="/facts/Lymphatic_system/yw5QLgMT">lymphatic system</a> and the <a href="/facts/Adaptive_immune_system/bc7zT1Jo">adaptive immune system</a>. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the <a href="/facts/Lymphatic_vessel/jND0hlDu">lymphatic vessels</a>. They are major sites of <a href="/facts/Lymphocyte/pS2pv2Ma">lymphocytes</a> that include <a href="/facts/B_cell/6Y1tgwwp">B</a> and <a href="/facts/T_cell/5z6PQ9UN">T cells</a>. Lymph nodes are important for the proper functioning of the <a href="/facts/Immune_system/HRCTf1pb">immune system</a>, acting as filters for foreign particles including <a href="/facts/Cancer_cell/HXSQQjhw">cancer cells</a>, but have no <a href="/facts/Detoxification/SQzAYKQj">detoxification</a> function.
In the lymphatic system, a lymph node is a <a href="/facts/Lymphatic_system/yw5QLgMT">secondary lymphoid organ</a>. A lymph node is enclosed in a fibrous capsule and is made up of an outer cortex and an inner medulla.
Lymph nodes become <a href="/facts/Inflamed/Ura86MIy">inflamed</a> or enlarged in various diseases, which may range from trivial <a href="/facts/Pharyngitis/PF8tKu39">throat infections</a> to life-threatening <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancers</a>. The condition of lymph nodes is very important in <a href="/facts/Cancer_staging/d2cFsCtq">cancer staging</a>, which decides the treatment to be used and determines the <a href="/facts/Prognosis/3DEGwPag">prognosis</a>. <a href="/facts/Lymphadenopathy/t7t4tEon">Lymphadenopathy</a> refers to <a href="/facts/Gland/gfq2of7k">glands</a> that are enlarged or swollen. When inflamed or enlarged, lymph nodes can be firm or tender.

Lymph node open-in-new

Lymph node