lymph

(noun)

A colourless, watery, bodily fluid carried by the lymphatic system, that consists mainly of white blood cells.

Related Terms

Examples of lymph in the following topics:

  • Cardiovascular and Lymphatic System Defenses

    • Rather than blood the lymph systems carries a clear fluid called lymph (from Latin lympha, meaning "water goddess") unidirectionally towards the heart.
    • The lymph system is not a closed system.
    • As well as filtering the lymph, lymph nodes produce the white cells known as lymphocytes.
    • Lymph is carried through the lymph vessels to regional lymph nodes.
    • While the lymph nodes do battle infections, there are problems with lymph nodes and the lymphatic system.

  • Lymphogranuloma Venereum

    • Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease which causes an infection of the lymph nodes.
    • LGV is an infection of the lymph nodes.
    • The infectious agent spreads to the lymph nodes through the lymphatic drainage pathways, causing inflammation of the lymph nodes and lymphatic channels.
    • The enlarged lymph nodes are called buboes and are painful, inflamed and can fixate to the skin.

  • Cells and Organs of the Immune System

    • The key primary lymphoid organs of the immune system include the thymus and bone marrow, as well as secondary lymphatic tissues including spleen, tonsils, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, adenoids, skin, and liver.
    • Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes.
    • The spleen is similar in structure to a large lymph node and acts primarily as a blood filter.
    • Lymph nodes are garrisons of B, T and other immune cells.
    • Lymph nodes act as filters or traps for foreign particles and are important in the proper functioning of the immune system.

  • Dendritic Cells

    • The function of epithelial dendritic cells is to capture microbial protein antigens and to transport the antigens to draining lymph nodes.
    • During their migration to the lymph nodes, the dendritic cells mature to become extremely efficient at presenting antigens and stimulating naive T cells, hence their classification as antigen presenting cells.
    • Mature dendritic cells reside in the T cell zones of the lymph nodes, and in this location they display antigens to T cells.

  • The Cardiovascular System

    • Lymphadenopathy is a term meaning disease of the lymph nodes due to infection, auto-immune disease, or malignancy.
    • Enlarged lymph nodes are a common symptom in a number of infectious diseases, of which some are as follows:
    • The most distinctive symptom of bubonic plague is extreme swelling of one or more lymph nodes that bulge out of the skin as "buboes. " The buboes often become necrotic and may even rupture.
    • Infectious mononucleosis is an acute viral infection, the hallmark of which is marked enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes.
    • It is also a symptom of cutaneous anthrax, measles and Human African trypanosomiasis, the latter two giving lymphadenopathy in lymph nodes in the neck.

  • Burkitt's Lymphoma

    • Burkitt lymphoma may first be noticed as a swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the neck, groin, or under the arm.
    • These swollen lymph nodes are often painless, but can grow very rapidly.
    • Symptoms include fever, night sweats, unexplained swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss.

  • Toxoplasmosis

    • Symptoms that may occur from toxplasmosis include: enlarged lymph nodes, headache, fever, muscle pain, and sore throat.
    • Acute toxoplasmosis is characterized by swollen lymph nodes found in the neck or under the chin, followed by the axillae, and the groin area.
    • Enlarged lymph nodes will occur at different times after the initial infection.

  • Other Fungi Involved in Respiratory Disease

    • Symptoms include nodular lesions or bumps in the skin at the point of entry and also along lymph nodes and vessels.
    • Symptoms include productive coughing, nodules and cavitations of the lungs, fibrosis, and swollen hilar lymph nodes.

  • African Trypanosomiasis

    • ., lymph, spinal fluid), and continue to replicate by binary fission.
    • Invasion of the circulatory and lymphatic systems by the parasites is associated with severe swelling of lymph nodes, often to tremendous sizes.

  • Bacterial Skin Diseases

    • Lymph nodes may be swollen and lymphedema may occur.
    • Occasionally, a red streak extending to the lymph node can be seen.