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Anatomy & Physiology vocabulary · Heart, Circulation and Breathing

Lymph node

Meaning in anatomy & physiology, with examples

/ˈlɪmf ˌnoʊd/nounCommon term

In anatomy & physiology, lymph node means: A small, bean-shaped organ of the lymphatic system that filters lymph and contains immune cells. Groups of lymph nodes lie in the neck, armpits, groin, chest and abdomen.

In Turkish: lenf düğümü, lenf nodu, lenf bezi

How it is used

Lymph nodes often swell during an infection, and patients may call them 'glands'. In cancer staging, doctors describe whether nearby lymph nodes are involved. Lymph flows through lymphatic vessels and finally returns to the veins at the base of the neck.

Example sentences

  1. The doctor felt the lymph nodes in her neck and armpits.

  2. Lymph from the breast drains mainly to the lymph nodes in the armpit.

Common collocations

  • enlarged lymph nodes
  • axillary lymph nodes
  • cervical lymph nodes
  • lymphatic system
  • lymph node biopsy
  • glandAn organ or group of cells that makes and releases a substance. Endocrine glands release hormones into the blood; exocrine glands release secretions such as sweat or saliva through ducts.
  • veinA blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart. Most veins carry blood that is low in oxygen; the pulmonary veins are the exception, bringing oxygen-rich blood from the lungs.
  • capillaryThe smallest type of blood vessel, with a wall only one cell thick. Capillaries connect arteries to veins, and oxygen, nutrients and waste pass through their walls to and from the tissues.
  • red blood cellA disc-shaped blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues using the protein hemoglobin. Mature red blood cells have no nucleus and live for about 120 days.

More terms: Heart, Circulation and Breathing

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.