Lymph gland

A complete Lymph Gland Picture: Composed of lymphoid tissue, the 500+ lymph nodes remain embedded within the soft tissues, totally or partially surrounded by fat. Each one of these nodes are encapsulated by a fibrous tissue; divided into cortical and medullary regions, the cortex is formed by densely packed lymphocytes (spherical lymphoid follicles) while the medulla comprises medullary trabeculae, medullary cords and medullary sinuses. The inner surface of the capsule comprises structures called trabeculae that extend towards the medullary region of the node, forming a structure that imparts the lymph node its shape. Medullary trabeculae, as it is called, guide the blood vessels and the nerves to multiple regions of the lymph node. The medullary sinuses are what that stores the lymph before it drains to the efferent lymphatic vessel, whereas the paracortex (an area between the cortex and the medulla) remain responsible for making the lymphocytes return to the lymphatic system from the blood.

A detailed reading is available at http://www.droid.cuhk.edu.hk/web/specials/lymph_nodes/lymph_nodes.htm

Lymph Gland Location: A total of 500 to 600 lymph nodes remain distributed throughout the body, the most well known lymph node locations being the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen. These nodes form the lymphatic system collectively, the lymphatic system being an interconnected system of spaces and vessels between body tissues and organs by which lymph circulates throughout the body. The components of this system are small clusters of cells that remain surrounded by a capsule and have ducts going both in and out of them. These are known as the lymph nodes or glands.

Lymph Gland Cancer: Termed as Lymphoma in the medical sciences or as Hodgkin’s disease, it denotes the formation of cancerous cells within the cells of the lymph glands, the prime components of the lymphatic system. The lymphomas or lymph gland cancer falls into two distinct categories:

(i) Hodgkin's disease: A hematological malignancy, it is the orderly spread of cancer from one lymph node group to another. As the disease progresses development of systemic symptoms show up due to the increasing number of Reed-Sternberg cells. But the good news is, Hodgkin's lymphoma can be cured by combination chemotherapy.

(ii) Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that arises from the lymphocytes and affects any organ that remains associated with the lymphatic system. This brings the spleen, the lymph nodes and the tonsils under its domain and diagnosis is only possible if a biopsy is performed on the involved tissue. The disease has multiple subtypes that are categorized by their histological grade or aggressiveness and treatment involves chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Swollen Lymph Gland: A swollen lymph gland or node is caused by numerous medical conditions; while in children the problem mostly denotes an infection, in adults, it can be a cause more serious by nature; the cause of enlarged lymph nodes may include allergic reactions, hyperthyroidism or something as severe as a cancer symptom. However, swelling doesn’t always denote cancer; the simple causes include common cold, viral infections, mononucleosis and tonsillitis, while life-threatening issues comprise an attack of cancer in the form of Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and Leukemia; Tuberculosis, Sarcoidosis and Secondary syphilis also are regarded as the reasons behind. But if not an infection, then the swelling of the lymph nodes occur due to Lymphatic obstruction or bad dental health or a sore throat, which, though not life threatening, may obstruct the lymph gland to come back to the normal shape and size for a long time.