Central lymph nodes

Central lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes located in the center of the body. They are part of the lymphatic system, which is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.

Etymology

The term "lymph node" comes from the Latin word 'lympha', which means 'connected to water', and the Greek word 'node', which means 'knot'. This is likely due to the fact that lymph nodes often swell when they are fighting an infection, giving them a knotted appearance.

Function

Central lymph nodes play a crucial role in the body's immune response. They filter lymph fluid, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, which are then destroyed by special white blood cells called lymphocytes.

Related Terms

• Lymph: A clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and diseases.
• Lymphocytes: A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system.
• Lymphatic system: A network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials.

See Also

• Peripheral lymph nodes
• Lymphatic disease
• Lymphadenopathy

References

Central lymph nodes Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.