Lymph Gland

Lymph Gland

The Lymph Gland or Lymph Node is an important part of the Lymphatic System, which plays a crucial role in the body's immune response. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease. They are connected by Lymphatic Vessels, which carry lymph, a clear fluid containing white blood cells, throughout the body.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Lymph nodes are kidney or oval shaped and range in size from a few millimeters to about 1–2 cm in their normal state. They may become enlarged due to a tumor or infection. Each lymph node is surrounded by a fibrous capsule, which extends inside a lymph node to form trabeculae.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of lymph nodes is the production of Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response. Lymph nodes also act as filters, trapping foreign particles and bacteria that are traveling through the body in lymph.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Enlarged lymph nodes often signal an infection or disease. For example, Lymphadenopathy refers to nodes that are abnormal in size, number or consistency. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymph nodes.