Lymph Nodes Structure and Functions

Lymph Nodes

• Functions:
  • Filter lymph fluid to remove waste and toxins
  • Activate immune response by recognizing and processing antigens
  • Store immune cells and facilitate immune cell activation
• Structure:
  • Bean-shaped organs located at junctions of lymphatic vessels
  • Composed of immune cells, such as dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells
• Types:
  • Peripheral lymph nodes (e.g., axillary, inguinal, cervical)
  • Central lymph nodes (e.g., mesenteric, iliac)

Lymphedema

• Definition: Chronic swelling of a limb or body region due to impaired lymphatic system function
• Causes:
  • Primary lymphedema: genetic mutations affecting lymphatic development
  • Secondary lymphedema: injury, surgery, radiation, or infection damaging lymphatic vessels
• Symptoms:
  • Swelling, pain, and heaviness in affected limb
  • Skin thickening and discoloration
  • Recurrent infections
• Treatment:
  • Compression garments and bandaging
  • Exercise and physical therapy
  • Surgery (in some cases)

Lymph Vessels

• Functions:
  • Transport lymph fluid throughout the body
  • Absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive system
  • Collect and transport immune cells
• Structure:
  • Network of vessels that parallel the blood circulatory system
  • Larger vessels (lymphatic trunks) drain into the thoracic duct
• Types:
  • Afferent lymphatic vessels: transport lymph fluid to lymph nodes
  • Efferent lymphatic vessels: transport lymph fluid away from lymph nodes

Lymph Nodes

• Filter lymph fluid to remove waste and toxins, recognizing and processing antigens to activate immune response
• Store immune cells and facilitate immune cell activation
• Bean-shaped organs located at junctions of lymphatic vessels, composed of immune cells like dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells
• Peripheral lymph nodes located in areas like axillary, inguinal, and cervical regions
• Central lymph nodes located in areas like mesenteric and iliac regions

Lymphedema

• Chronic swelling of a limb or body region due to impaired lymphatic system function
• Caused by primary lymphedema (genetic mutations affecting lymphatic development) or secondary lymphedema (injury, surgery, radiation, or infection damaging lymphatic vessels)
• Symptoms include swelling, pain, and heaviness in affected limb, skin thickening and discoloration, and recurrent infections
• Treated with compression garments and bandaging, exercise and physical therapy, and surgery in some cases

Lymph Vessels

• Transport lymph fluid throughout the body, absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive system, and collecting and transporting immune cells
• Network of vessels parallel to the blood circulatory system, with larger vessels (lymphatic trunks) draining into the thoracic duct
• Afferent lymphatic vessels transport lymph fluid to lymph nodes
• Efferent lymphatic vessels transport lymph fluid away from lymph nodes