What are lymph nodes write it's function (5 marks)
What are lymph nodes write it's function (5 marks)
Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are oval-shaped masses of tissue in the body that serve an important role in protecting the body from infection and cancer.
Everyone has an extensive lymphatic system in their body, which consists of lymph nodes and lymph vessels. The lymph vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph that is collected from tissues throughout the body. Lymph contains cell wastes like cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses. This fluid then drains into lymph nodes where it's filtered by infection-fighting cells within the lymph nodes. These infection-fighting cells, also called white blood cells, destroy these foreign or "bad" cancer and infection-related cells.
A sign that immune cells within a lymph node are fighting an infection or cancer is when they enlarge or become swollen. This is called lymphadenopathy, or adenopathy for short.
Lymph nodes are scattered throughout the body and located in groups, like in the armpit, groin, neck, pelvis, and abdomen. In some areas like the neck, the lymph nodes are located superficially and may be palpated — they feel like a pea or small bean. In other areas, like the abdomen or the chest, lymph nodes are located deeper and cannot be felt.
Everyone has an extensive lymphatic system in their body, which consists of lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
The lymph vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph that is collected from tissues throughout the body. Lymph contains cell wastes like cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses. This fluid then drains into lymph nodes where it's filtered by infection-fighting cells within the lymph nodes. These infection-fighting cells, also called white blood cells, destroy these foreign or "bad" cancer and infection-related cells.
A sign that immune cells within a lymph node are fighting an infection or cancer is when they enlarge or become swollen. This is called lymphadenopathy, or adenopathy for short.
Lymph nodes are scattered throughout the body and located in groups, like in the armpit, groin, neck, pelvis, and abdomen. In some areas like the neck, the lymph nodes are located superficially and may be palpated — they feel like a pea or small bean. In other areas, like the abdomen or the chest, lymph nodes are located deeper and cannot be felt.
