Swollen Lymph Nodes

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Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• What are lymph nodes?
• Where are the lymph nodes located in the body?
• What are the causes of swollen lymph nodes?
• What are the symptoms of swollen lymph nodes?
• How are swollen lymph nodes diagnosed?
• How are swollen lymph nodes treated?
• When should I see the doctor for swollen lymph nodes?
• What are the common lymph nodes that may get swollen?
• What are the complications of swollen lymph nodes?
• Swollen Lymph Nodes At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Swollen Lymph Nodes - Describe Your Diagnosis

What are lymph nodes?

Lymph nodes are an important component of the body's immune system and help in fighting infections.

They are small, soft, round or oval structures that are found throughout the body and are connected to each other in chain-like (lymphatic chains) fashion by channels similar to blood vessels. Each individual lymph node is covered by a capsule made up of connective tissue.

Within the capsule, lymph nodes contain certain kinds of immune cells. These cells are mainly lymphocytes, which produce proteins that capture and fight viruses and other microbes, and macrophages, which destroy and remove the captured material.

Where are the lymph nodes located in the body?

Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. Some are directly under the skin while others are deep inside the body. Even the most superficial (close to the skin) lymph nodes are usually not visible or palpable (felt by touching), unless they are swollen or enlarged for some reason.

They are connected to each other by loosely bound lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes generally coalesce in different regions in the body where they are responsible for filtering the blood and performing their immunologic function for that particular area of the body. Fluid from the lymphatic vessels eventually feeds into the venous system (veins) in the body.

Swollen Lymph Nodes - Describe Your Diagnosis

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Please describe your diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes.

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