Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Tell if a Lymph Is Swollen : Health Tips
- What are lymph nodes?
- Lymph nodes and lymph system
- Lymph nodes and cancer
Medical Video: How to Tell if a Lymph Is Swollen : Health Tips
Lymph nodes are one part of the body that plays a large role in the human immune system. Unfortunately, these glands are also very susceptible to disorders and diseases. You may have often heard of enlarged lymph nodes or even cancer of the lymph nodes. So what exactly is a lymph node and what does it do for the body? See below.
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are small tissue structures that resemble red beans. Lymph nodes can be as small as a pinhead or as big as an olive.
There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the body and these glands can be found alone or in collections. A large collection of lymph nodes is found in the neck, inner thighs, armpits, around the intestines, and between the lungs.
Lymph nodes have white blood cells which are immune cells that help the body fight infection.
The main function of the lymph nodes is filtering out lymph fluid (which consists of fluid and residual substances from body tissues) from the closest organ or area in the body. Along with the spleen, the lymph nodes build up the lymph system.
Lymph nodes and lymph system
After knowing what a lymph node is, you must understand how the lymph system works. The lymph system is an important part of the immune system, aka the body's defense system against disease. The lymph system is a network in the body that is formed from the spleen and lymph nodes.
The lymph system collects fluids, waste substances, and other things (such as viruses and bacteria) in the body's tissues, outside the bloodstream. Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid to the lymph nodes. Once the fluid flows, the lymph nodes filter it, trapping bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances. Then, dangerous agents are destroyed by lymphocytes, which are special white blood cells. Then, the filtered liquid, salt, and protein are returned to the bloodstream.
When there are problems such as infection, injury, or cancer, lymph nodes or groups of lymph nodes can enlarge or swell because they work against malicious agents. The neck, inner thighs and armpits are areas where lymph nodes often swell.
Therefore, if you experience swelling in the areas mentioned earlier, you should see a doctor.
Lymph nodes and cancer
Sometimes people can develop lymph node cancer. There are two ways cancer can appear in lymph nodes:
- Cancer originates from the gland
- Cancer spreads to the glands from other places
If you have cancer, the doctor will examine the lymph nodes to see if the gland is affected by cancer. The usual tests to diagnose lymph node cancer are:
- Feeling all lymph nodes (which are palpable) in the patient's body
- CT scan
- Lifting glands or biopsy of lymph nodes near cancer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
