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lymph node

Characteristics: - discrete structures surrounded by a capsule composed of connective tissue surrounded by a few elastic fibrils - the capsule is perforated by afferent lymphatics that empty into the peripheral sinus subadjacent to the capsule Structure: - the periphery or cortex is the site of B-cell lymphoid follicles. - T-cells occupy the parafollicular regions of the cortex. - medullary cords (central) contain predominantly plasma cells & some lymphocytes Function: - lymph nodes are dynamic organs, the size & morphology of which are modified by immunologic responses. - lymph nodes are secondary lines of immunological defense, responding to antigenic stimuli in the absence of clinical disease - superficial chains of lymph nodes drain the skin into 3 large areas. - cervical lymph nodes - scalp - face - top of neck - axillary lymph nodes - upper extremities - lower neck - trunk above the umbilicus - inguinal lymph nodes - lower extremities - perineum - genitals - trunk below the umbilicus Pathology: - residual scarring may occur after enlargement. - enlargement of a lymph node (> 1 cm) is lymphadenopathy

Related

lymph lymphadenopathy

Specific

(pararectal/anorectal) lymph node (right/left) gastroomental (gastroepiploic) lymph node anterior cervical lymph node axillary lymph node (axillary gland) brachiocephalic lymph node (anterior mediastinal lymph node) bronchopulmonary/hilar lymph node celiac lymph node common iliac lymph node cubital lymph node (cubital node of elbow) deep inguinal lymph node deep lateral cervical lymph node deep parotid lymph node external iliac lymph node gastric lymph node (right/left) hepatic lymph node inferior mesenteric lymph node intermediate lumbar lymph node internal iliac lymph node interpectoral lymph node jugulodigastric lymph node (subdigastric node) juguloomohyoid lymph node lateral jugular lymph node left aortic lymph node (lateral, pre, post) mesenteric lymph node middle rectal lymph node occipital lymph node pancreaticosplenic lymph node parasternal lymph node paratracheal/tracheal lymph node parietal lymph node Peyer's patches phrenic lymph node (inferior/superior) popliteal lymph node posterior mediastinal lymph node (prevertebral lymph node) pulmonary/intrapulmonary lymph node pyloric (gastroduodenal) lymph node sacral lymph node subcarinal lymph node submandibular lymph node submental lymph node superficial inguinal lymph node superficial parotid lymph node superior mesenteric lymph node superior rectal lymph node supraclavicular lymph nodes Virchow's node visceral lymph node

General

organ

Properties

References

  1. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
  2. Cotran et al Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, 5th ed. W.B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, PA 1994 pg 629

Component-of

lymphatic system

Components

germinal center (of Flemming) lymphoid follicle mantle zone (of lymph node)