HealthMedicine

What are regional lymph nodes?

Probably, no one will argue that in the human body the most important are two interrelated systems - the blood and lymphatic systems. With the circulatory system, everything is relatively clear: it carries the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide, nutrients and metabolic products, excreted through the kidneys, skin, lungs, and other organs, as well as heat regulation in warm-blooded animals. Thus, it is impossible to overestimate its significance in the vital activity of the body, but the lymphatic system is no less important. Lymph is a liquid component of blood, and this system is designed to drain lymph, maintain homeostasis, replenish blood lymphocytes and participate in humoral and cellular immunity. The lymphatic system consists of vessels and lymph nodes, which are grouped into regional lymph nodes.

Lymphatic system

The whole set of structures of this system is represented by a branched network of vessels (capillaries, trunks, ducts), on which there are numerous seals - regional, or regional nodes. As a system of fluid circulation in the body, the lymphatic system is responsible for taking water, insoluble particles, colloidal and suspended solutions from tissues. In regional lymph nodes, clusters of lymphocytes destroy harmful substances, performing the immune (protective) function.

Lymph nodes in the system

Lymph nodes are anatomical formations of pink color, soft and elastic when probed. Usually kidney shaped, length from 0.5 to 50 millimeters. Lymph nodes are located one by one or in groups and are located in important anatomical parts of the body. They are characterized by individual differentiation, and with age, neighboring nodes can merge. The nodes that are the first on the way of the vessels of the lymphatic system, carrying lymph from a certain department or body (region), are called regional, or regional lymph nodes.

Human lymph nodes

The number of such "filters" in the body is individual, but on average they are from 400 to 1000. To understand where regional lymph nodes are located, the following scheme will help.

Lymph nodes during the life of a person are rebuilt, changing their shape and structure. With age, their number decreases by a factor of 1.5-2, they can be fused or replaced with connective or fat tissue. Nodes become impassable for lymph and atrophy. Accordingly, the level of immune response of the body and the overall resistance to infections decrease.

Lymph node functions

In addition to filtration, this component of the lymphatic system performs the following functions:

  • Direct formation of immune reactions (production of T-lymphocytes and phagocytes);
  • Maintenance of water homeostasis of the body;
  • Drainage of intercellular fluid;
  • Participation in important exchanges of proteins, fats, carbohydrates.

Types of regional lymph nodes

Groups of lymph nodes are located so as to block the path of infection. The following groups of regional lymph nodes stand out:

  • Mediastinal (intrathoracic);
  • Bronchopulmonologic;
  • Ulnar and popliteal;
  • Splenic;
  • Paraorthal;
  • Splashing.
  • Iliac;
  • Inguinal and femoral.

The increase in regional lymph nodes testifies to the disadvantage in that zone of "maintenance" of the node, which is one of the indicators in the diagnosis of diseases.

Structure of the lymph node

Anatomically, this structure has a lobed structure. Each node is covered with a connective tissue capsule. Brain (external) and cortical (internal) matter is divided by trabeculae, or crossbeams.

The brain substance contains follicles, in which B-lymphocytes undergo antigen-dependent maturation and differentiation. The cortex contains mainly T-lymphocytes, which here also ripen and differentiate. In the lymph nodes, the immune response of the body to foreign antigens is formed, which lymph brings to the sinusoidal ducts. The surface of the ducts is covered by macrophage cells, whose task is the destruction of alien objects.

In the entry points of the lymphatic vessel there is an impression - the gate. On the sine of the capsule - special gaps between the capsule and the bars - the lymph enters the capsules of the cortical and cerebral substance, collects in the gate sinus and enters the excretory vessel. When passing through the structure of the node, lymphatic filtration is carried out.

Types of lymph nodes

Conventionally, three types of these formations are distinguished:

  • Rapid response, in which the area of the cortex is less than the brain. Fill up very quickly.
  • Compact structure or slow response - the cortex is greater than the cerebral.
  • Intermediate - both substances (cortical and cerebral) are presented in the same amount.

From the individual prevalence of this or that type of regional lymph nodes in a person depends largely on the effectiveness of treatment of cancer.

Violations of the structure

In a healthy body, the lymph nodes are not painful and almost not probed. If the regional lymph nodes are enlarged, this indicates an unfavorable state of the region to which this structure belongs. The increase in size and tenderness in the knot area can indicate the presence of viral infections (herpes, measles, rubella) or connective tissue disorders (arthritis, rheumatism). Deep lesions of regional lymph nodes are observed with lymphedema, lymphangioma, lymphosarcoma, lymphadenitis, tuberculosis, HIV and in the late stages of cancer of various organs. At the first signs of concern, you should see a doctor. To diagnose the condition, the most accurate study today is ultrasound of regional lymph nodes.

When to call a doctor

Increased node - an occasion to consult a doctor (immunologist, infectionist, oncologist). But do not panic - more often this condition is associated with an infectious disease, much less often with oncology.

  • With purulent inflammation in the tissues, microbes from the wounds enter the lymph nodes, causing lymphadenitis - an acute inflammatory process. If you do not open the purulent node, phlegmon can develop - a serious complication and rupture of the lymph node.
  • Different forms of tuberculosis always cause an increase in lymph nodes, most often in the neck (so-called "scrofula").
  • Nodules can increase when infected with bartonella and cause cat scratch disease. The carriers of the microbe are cats. Increased knots and non-healing wounds should alert the parents.
  • Quite often lymph nodes increase in ARVI as a result of the struggle of the organism with the invading virus. On recovery and the nodes come back to normal.
  • In the inguinal zone, an increase in nodes is often associated with venereal diseases (syphilis).

In addition to referring to ultrasound, the doctor can refer the patient to a general blood test, an immunogram, an HIV test and a puncture of the regional lymph node of the affected area.

What will the ultrasound show?

Timely and qualitative examination largely determines the success of treatment and can save not only health, but also the life of the patient. The study will show changes in the tissue structure of the node, impaired blood supply, localization of the lesion, echo-density of the tissue. The study takes into account and accompanying signs: chills, body aches, insomnia, loss of appetite, headaches. The reliability of the results of ultrasound examination is quite high. Errors in interpretation may be due to the presence of an abscess or cyst at the site of the study. In this case, appoint an additional examination: a tomography or a biopsy. Ultrasound examination of lymph nodes has no contraindications, does not irradiate and does not harm health.

Regional lymphonoduses of the mammary gland

The lymphatic system of the mammary gland is represented by the sections inside the organ and outside it. The internal system is represented by fatty tissue, capillaries and parenchyma of the actual mammary gland. Regional lymph nodes of the breast are axillary, subclavian and parasternal lymph nodes. The increase in axillary nodes and the absence of their painfulness is a more disturbing sign than the presence of edema and painful palpation. Painless enlarged nodes indicate the onset of metastasis of malignant tumors.

Regional thyroid gland lymph nodes

To regional nodes shchitovidki include nodes in the neck and those that are behind the breastbone. The inflammatory process begins with an increase in the site, swelling and painful palpation. In this case, the risk of spread of infection or metastasis of oncology is dangerous to the proximity to the brain.

Spread of oncological neoplasms

Cancer cells spread in the body in the following ways:

  • Hematogenous pathway (by blood vessels);
  • Lymphogenous pathway (through lymphatic vessels, through lymph nodes);
  • Mixed way.

Lymph nodes of the neck - the main barrier for infections and tumors of the head; Nodes of the armpit protect the mammary glands, arms, scapula. Inflammation of the inguinal nodes may speak of ovarian inflammation, syphilis, colitis and colpitis, appendicitis and arthritis. With inflammation in the mouth and oncology of the lips, jaws or tongue, submandibular lymph nodes increase. Oncological neoplasms in the abdominal cavity give metastases to the lymph nodes of the sternoclecho-mastoid muscle.

Oncological diseases and lymph

It is on the increase of regional lymph vessels that it is possible to judge the initial stages of malignant formations. In the world of oncology, the mortality rate is now second only to cardiovascular pathologies. The World Health Organization predicts a two-fold increase in mortality from malignant pathologies in the next twenty years. Here are a few facts that speak for themselves.

About 25% of all cases of oncology are caused by hepatitis and human papillomavirus.

The third part of deaths from oncological diseases is associated with food sources of risk. This obesity, a low indicator of fruits and vegetables in the diet, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking.

Among cancer pathologies lung cancer is leading, followed by liver cancer, colon and rectum, stomach and breast cancer.

The highest rates of male mortality in central and eastern Europe, and women more often die from cancer in East Africa.

According to WHO, annually in the world more than 200 thousand children are ill with oncological diseases.

Health is an invaluable gift that can not be bought or borrowed. Every person who wants to lead an active lifestyle and take a certain social position, is obliged to take care of his health. Today, being healthy is fashionable, it means being in a trend. Healthy eating, feasible exercise, rejection of bad habits - all this will help to not get sick and support your body. However, with the first signs and symptoms from the side of the lymphatic system, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Timely treatment, qualitative examination and correct diagnosis are the key to successful treatment, the return of well-being and prolongation of life.

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