Lymph Nodes in Immunity: Structure, Function, and System Connections

This essay provides an overview of lymph nodes, discussing their structure, location, and function within the lymphatic and immune systems. Lymph nodes are described as small, bean-shaped tissue structures that filter lymphatic fluid and house lymphocytes, which are crucial for fighting infections and foreign particles. The essay details the organization of lymph nodes into lobules containing cortex, paracortex, and medulla, each housing different types of immune cells. It explains how lymph nodes trap bacteria and viruses, facilitate immune cell communication, and contribute to waste removal from the body. The essay also touches on the importance of lymph nodes in overall immune function and their connection to other organ systems.

Running head: LYMPH NODES
Lymph Nodes and Its Function
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Author’s Note:

1LYMPH NODES
Lymph node is a bean shaped small masses of tissue structure which is part of the
body’s immunity system. It is also known as lymph gland. Each and every individual has a
widespread lymphatic system comprises of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. A clear liquid
fluid known as lymphatic fluid is collected by the lymph vessels from tissues all over the
body (Simon & Campbell, 2016). The function of lymph node is to filter the substances
which go through the lymphatic fluid. They contain white blood cells or lymphocytes which
helps the body’s immunity system to fight foreign particles and infections. There are
hundreds of lymph nodes present in the human body and they are spread across the human
body (Simon & Campbell, 2016). Lymph nodes are situated in clusters and can be found in
the groin, armpit (axilla), neck, abdomen, and pelvis. For instance, around 20 to 40 lymph
nodes are present just in the axilla. In some cases, lymph nodes are situated superficially and
can be felt through the skin whereas some are situated deep within the body and cannot be
felt. To cite one example, lymph nodes situated in the neck can be felt (small pea or bean
sized shapes) whereas lymph nodes situated in the chest or abdomen cannot be felt (Simon &
Campbell, 2016).
Lymph nodes are categorized as secondary lymphoid systems whereas tonsils, thymus
gland, bone marrow, and spleen are the primary lymph organs. Lymph nodes structure is
complex and it is divided in to lobules. Each lobule comprises of an outer cortex, followed by
para- cortex and on the inside a core or medulla present. Commonly, B cells or B
lymphocytes are located in the cortex whereas dendritic cells and T cells or T lymphocytes
are located in the para- cortex. Other infection fighting white blood cells known as
macrophages are situated in the core or medulla. The whole lymph node is covered by a
tough fibrous capsule. The size of the lymph node can differ and its diameter can vary from
several millimetres to up to two centimetres (Munn & Padera, 2014).

2LYMPH NODES
Lymph nodes play a very vital role in case of fight infections in many different ways.
First of all, lymph nodes filter and trap the bacteria and viruses so that T cells can attack and
kill those viruses. On the other hand, another type of T cells present this foreign particle to
the B cells so that the B cells can generate antibodies against these foreign particles. Hence,
lymph node is the location where human body’s immune cell work and communicate
together. These lymph nodes become swollen and tender when human body is fighting
infections, although, lymph nodes can be swollen due to immune disorders or cancer
(Louveau et al., 2015).
Lymph nodes are very important part of the body’s immune system and lymph nodes
are connected to all the organs in the body through lymphatic systems. Other than fighting
infections, lymphatic system also help the human body to get rid of waste, toxins, and any
other unwanted materials (Simon & Campbell, 2016). Therefore, it can be said that the lymph
nodes plays an important role in our body’s immune system by fighting infection and filtering
unwanted materials from body’s other organs it is connected.

3LYMPH NODES
References:
Louveau, A., Smirnov, I., Keyes, T. J., Eccles, J. D., Rouhani, S. J., Peske, J. D., ... & Harris,
T. H. (2015). Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatic
vessels. Nature, 523(7560), 337.
Munn, L. L., & Padera, T. P. (2014). Imaging the lymphatic system. Microvascular
research, 96, 55-63.
Simon, E., & Campbell, N. (2016). Campbell essential biology. Harlow: Pearson.