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Human Body Study

Lymph Nodes

Small, bean-shaped filtering stations spaced along the lymphatic vessels — hundreds of them, clustered in the neck, armpits, groin, and elsewhere.

The lymphatic and immune system A stylised body with the lymphatic organs placed at their anatomical positions, plus two concept panels for the functional arms — innate immunity (phagocytes eating pathogens) and adaptive immunity (lymphocytes and antibodies). Each label links to the article for that part. Innate immunity fast frontline: phagocytes ingest pathogens Adaptive immunity specific and remembered: lymphocytes and antibodies Tonsils Thymus Lymph nodes Spleen Lymphatic vessels Bone marrow Lymphatic organs and lymph vessels, plus the two arms of the immune response — schematic.

What they do

Section titled “What they do”
  • Filter lymph, trapping microbes, debris, and abnormal cells.
  • House immune cells (lymphocytes) that inspect the filtered fluid.
  • Serve as meeting points where an immune response is launched.

Key idea

Section titled “Key idea”

Swollen, tender lymph nodes near an infection are a sign the system is working — immune cells multiplying as they mount a response.