What is Lymph?
The blood flowing through the blood capillaries exert pressure on the walls of the blood capillaries. This results in the leakage of the fluid through these walls, known as Lymph.
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What is the Lymphatic system?
The system that carries lymph is known as the lymphatic system. The lymph flows in the Lymph capillaries.
Lymph capillaries
The lymph capillaries combine to form Lymph vessels. The lymph vessels open into the larger veins.
What are the Different roles of the lymphatic system?
There are three major roles of the lymphatic system:
- Get all the fluid which was drained out of the capillaries back into the blood
- Transport various substances like Fats which are absorbed by intestines to various parts of the
- Immunological function
- The lymphatic system traps the invader and carries them to Lymph nodes where they are
- Lymph nodes are knot-like Their main function is to kill the invaders and clear out the body of cellular wastes.
Lymph Nodes
Swollen lymph nodes often happen because of infections from bacteria or viruses. It is rare, but sometimes they can be caused by cancer.
Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are important for helping your body fight infections. They act like filters, catching viruses, bacteria, and other things that can make you sick before these germs can spread to other parts of your body. You can commonly find swollen lymph nodes in areas like your neck, under your chin, in your armpits, and in your groin.
Symptoms
What is the Lymphatic System?
- The lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels, and lymph nodes spread throughout your body.
- Many lymph nodes are in the head, neck, armpits, and groin.
What Happens When Lymph Nodes Swell?
- Swollen lymph nodes signal that something is wrong in your body.
- When they first swell, you might feel:
- Tenderness and pain in the lymph nodes.
- Swelling, which can be as small as a pea or as large as a kidney bean.
Other Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes:
- Infections:
- Runny nose, sore throat, fever, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.
- General Swelling:
- Swelling of lymph nodes all over your body may indicate infections like HIV or mononucleosis or immune system disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Serious Conditions:
- Hard, fixed, and rapidly growing nodes could suggest cancer or lymphoma.
- Fever and night sweats are also possible signs.