lymph nodes
Body's drainage stations
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures distributed throughout the body that filter lymph fluid and house immune cells.
They swell noticeably when fighting infection, which is why a doctor checks for swollen lymph nodes in your neck or armpits.
In cancer diagnosis, whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes indicates disease progression.
Secreting organs
- neckHead-body junction
- armpitHollow under shoulder
- groinHip-thigh junction
- axillaryPertaining to armpits
cervical · inguinal · mesenteric · mediastinal · popliteal · cluster · chain · basin
Adaptive immunity cells
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- antigensImmunity-triggering foreign substances
macrophages · immunoglobulins · cytokines · filtering · immunity · adaptive · innate · phagocytosis
Swollen, infected nodes
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- feverElevated body temperature
- tuberculosisMycobacterial lung disease
mononucleosis · HIV · strep throat · cat scratch disease · toxoplasmosis · cellulitis · abscess · sepsis
Cancer spreading beyond origin
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
- non-HodgkinLymphoma category by exclusion
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
- stagingPreparing for presentation
malignancy · carcinoma · spread · tumor · oncology · dissection · involvement · primary
Increased in size
- swollenAbnormally enlarged
- tenderSoft or sore
- palpablePerceptible to touch or senses
- palpationMedical examination by touch
lump · inflammation · reactive · rubbery · firm · mobile · fixed · matted
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- excisionCutting out of tissue
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- PET scanRadiotracer-based internal imaging
MRI · histopathology · cytology · pathologist · specimen · tissue sample · frozen section · imaging
glands
Secreting organs
axillary · cervical · inguinal · mesenteric · mediastinal · popliteal · cluster · chain · basin · drainage
lymphocytes
Adaptive immunity cells
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
antigens · macrophages · immunoglobulins · cytokines · filtering · immunity · adaptive · innate · phagocytosis · immunology
lymphadenitis
Swollen, infected nodes
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- feverElevated body temperature
tuberculosis · mononucleosis · HIV · strep throat · cat scratch disease · toxoplasmosis · cellulitis · abscess · sepsis · antibiotics
metastasis
Cancer spreading beyond origin
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
- non-HodgkinLymphoma category by exclusion
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
staging · malignancy · carcinoma · spread · tumor · oncology · dissection · involvement · primary · secondary
enlarged
Increased in size
palpation · lump · inflammation · reactive · rubbery · firm · mobile · fixed · matted · localized
biopsy
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- excisionCutting out of tissue
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
PET scan · MRI · histopathology · cytology · pathologist · specimen · tissue sample · frozen section · imaging · workup
- immunologyimmune system, immune response, antibodies, antigens, immunity
- Immunotoxicologyantibodies, antigens, autoantibodies, autoimmunity, T cells
- neck lumpsgoiter, swollen glands, enlarged thyroid, thyroid cancer
- anatomybrain, heart, bones, liver, stomach
- circulation systemsblood vessels, arteries, veins, capillaries, heart
- immunityimmune, immunity, immune system, immune response, immune cells
lymph nodesheart
Circulatory system's pump
blood vessels · arteries · veins · cardiac muscle · aorta
node, lymph, lymphatic, lymphatics, lymph node, lymphatic system