Although the lymph nodes due to their rather inconspicuous anatomy quite often go under in their relevance in contrast to other organs, many people know their importance, however, in connection with the occurrence of tumors. The lymph nodes are very significant for the health of the body.
What are lymph nodes?
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of lymph nodes. Click to enlarge. Within the definition of lymph nodes, individually nodus lymphoideus, these intricately structured structures are referred to as nodular organs of the lymphatic system. The so-called lymphatic system represents the transport pathway for the so-called lymph or lymphatic fluid, which also passes through the lymph nodes. In older medical literature, the term nodus lymphaticus is often used. With an average diameter of one to two centimeters, the lymph nodes are not large and can be palpated from the outside. The lymph nodes are distributed throughout the human body and are anchored in very specific positions.
Anatomy and structure
To visualize a lymph node in terms of its structure, think of it as a kind of net. Resembling a bean, the lymph node is surrounded by a connective tissue layer. Under this sheath, from the outside to the inside, are the lymph node cortex and the so-called middle region. This zone protects the inner core, which in anatomy is also called the inner medulla. In order to create a net-like branching from one lymph node to the next, the connective tissue sheath is characterized by finely structured “connecting arms”, the trabeculae. Through all the sheaths of the lymph node penetrates the lymphatic sinus. This structure is a cavity within which the lymph fluid moves into the inner nodal medulla, passes through the nodal hilus back into the trabeculae and to the next lymph node. In effect, the lymph node represents a perfused filter.
Functions and tasks
The task of the lymph nodes is to filter out all particles present in the lymphatic fluid. For this reason, the lymph nodes represent an indispensable part within an intact natural defense mechanism. If individual foreign bodies, for example cancer cells or microorganisms, are too large, they remain trapped in the network structure of the lymph node. Now the body’s own immune substances come in and kill these pathogens. In addition, the lymph nodes themselves are also capable of implementing this defense mechanism. So-called defense cells are stored in the lymph nodes. These are called T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes as well as phagocytes or macrophages (macro = large) and perform exactly the same defense tasks that are performed by the leukocytes, the white blood cells. These cells are a part of the lymphatic system and can multiply in the same way as the leukocytes, if germs can be filtered out. From this point of view, lymph nodes represent a kind of “security police” in the body. The lymph nodes are capable of removing pathogens, solid substances foreign to the body such as asbestos, or cells from tumors from the lymph fluid as well as decomposing them.
Diseases
As a clear indication of a disease present in the organism represents for medical professionals the palpation and examination of lymph nodes. Not only as a differential diagnosis, but also as an indication of a disease that is not yet visible externally, the condition of the lymph nodes is quite important. The lymph nodes swell, increase in size. The lymph nodes themselves can also become diseased. Typical diseases of the lymph nodes are an infection with HIV pathogens or the so-called Pfeiffer’s glandular fever. If undetected tumor cells migrate through the lymphatic fluid in the organism, they can remain in the lymph nodes and continue to proliferate there. If a cancerous tumor develops in the lymph nodes due to a degeneration of the lymph cells, this disease is called lymphoma. In the differential diagnosis, non-Hodgkin’s or Hodgkin’s lymphomas (see Hodgkin’s disease (Hodgkin’s lymphoma)) play a central role in connection with the lymph nodes and lymphomas. In addition, people may suffer from symptoms that originate in the lymph nodes and are known as lymphadenitis. This disease is based on an inflammatory process in the lymph nodes and is characterized by different courses.Lymph node cancer is usually always about malignant growths, which can occur apart from Hodgkin’s disease and have a good prognosis due to ideal treatment methods.
Typical and common diseases
- Pfeiffer’s glandular fever
- Lymph node swelling
- Burkitt’s lymphoma
- Lymphadenitis
- Lymphangitis
