What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system which carries waste products and other materials away from the cells in your body. Lymph nodes filter this material before it returns to the blood stream. They also store WBCs (lymphocytes) and help fight infection. The nodes under your arm are called axillary nodes and are important in determining the breast cancer stage and spread. If cancer cells are present in the axillary nodes there is a higher chance that the cancer may have spread. This is an important consideration in determining further medical management of the cancer.
Lymph nodes are small but very important structures in the lymphatic system, which is part of the larger immune system in the body. These nodes act as filters, removing harmful particles and fighting off bacteria. Many people notice that some lymph nodes in their bodies become swollen when they get sick, because these structures are working overtime to produce more white blood cells to fight the infection. Swollen lymph nodes can also be symptoms of a more serious problem, like a cancer which has metastasized to the lymph nodes. The lymph system is an extensive interconnected system which transports lymph, a clear to yellowish fluid, through the body. Lymph contains white blood cells called lymphocytes, along with certain proteins and some red blood cells. This fluid helps the body fight infection, and as it passes through the lymph nodes, these nodes pull infectious agents like bacteria out of the flow of lymph so that they do not continue to circulate through the body. There are hund
Lymph nodes are small sac-like structures located along the lymph vessels. They are home to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Lymph nodes store lymphocytes and help control the immune response by allowing lymphocytes to come into contact with foreign materials (antigens) in a manner that stimulates their activity.
