Lymph node

Lymph Node 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. Gland is however an incorrect terminology, in the sense that the nodes do not fulfill the glandular criteria i.e. they do not secrete anything but act as filters, an internal honeycomb structure of lymphocyte-filled connective tissue being responsible for its action. The aforementioned structures collect and destroy bacteria and viruses that flow freely within the blood; this is when the lymphocytes multiply rapidly and causes the lymph nodes to swell.

Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymphadenopathy or the swollen lymph nodes sometimes show up in the regions aforementioned - while in children the problem mostly denotes an infection, in adults, it can be a cause more serious by nature; the cause of swollen lymph nodes may include allergic reactions, hyperthyroidism or something as severe as a cancer symptom.

Enlarged Lymph Node in neck: Among the several groups of lymph glands in the human body, the ones that become enlarged or swollen are most frequently are the lymph nodes in the neck region, apart from the ones in the armpit or groin region. An enlarged lymph node in neck signify that the node is responding to a stimulation caused by a foreign substance that ranges from simple viral infections to something as severe as HIV and metastases and uncontrolled, malignant production of lymphocytes that lead to lymphoma or leukemia. In this case, lymph nodes that are less than 1/2 inch across may double or triple in size.

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

Lymph Node cancer: Lymphoma, the other name for lymph node cancer, can be categorized into two parts: Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. While the first one is a rare, hereditary form and occurs more in males between 15 and 34 years of age and in men over 55, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma are a collective term that takes under it all the other forms. The most common symptoms include sweating, fever, constant fatigue and weight loss for no apparent reason. The development of cancer in the lymph nodes can either start as primary cancer or as secondary or metastatic cancer. The second one involves the transportation of cancerous cells from the other parts of the body where primary cancer has set in through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.