function of lymph nodes
1.Filter and cleanse the lymph along its course back to bloodstream
2.Site of T and B cell activation
monitor lymph from mediastinum lungs and airway
thoracic
cancerous cells break free from the original tumor, travel to other sites in the body, and establish new tumors
metastasis
most numerous lymphatic organs
lymph nodes
abdominal
1.Colon cancer cells invade deeper layers of the colon wall and enter nearby lymphatic vessels
2.Invade the mesenteric and intestinal lymph nodes
3.Cancer cells travel through the intestinal trunk, cisterna chyli, and then into the thoracic duct
4.Thoracic duct drains into the left subclavian brain à now in bloodstream and can freely travel
lymph nodes and metastatic colon cancer
structure of lymph nodes
•Bean-shaped with hilum on one side
•Fibrous capsule that divides the inside into compartments
•Afferent lymphatic vessels enter on convex surface
•Efferent lymphatic vessels exit lymph node through hilum
•Cortex: consists of B-cell germinal centers
•Medulla: consists of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages
monitor lymph from digestive
intestinal
Largest lymphatic organ found in the upper left quadrant, between diaphragm, stomach, and kidney
spleen
monitor lymph from head and neck is from which node
cervical
monitor lymph from entire lower limbn
large blood pools filled with erythrocytes
•“Erythrocyte Graveyard” - old RBCs rupture as they go through capillaries into these sinuses
•Blood reservoir
red pulp
monitor lymph from upper limb and female breast
axillary
monitor lymph Fromm the foot and leg proper
popliteal
contains lymphatic cells
•Cells monitor blood for foreign antigens and will release great numbers of monocytes during infection
white pulp