Overview: Middle defense - Lymph nodes

Lymph travels through vessels of increasing size and eventually reaches lymph nodes that are located along the lymph vessels.  Lymph nodes are kidney-shaped, encapsulated lymphoid organs that serve as in-line filters of lymph.  Although located throughout the body, lymph nodes are concentrated in the mesenteries, axilla and groin.  40x

Lymph nodes are small, kidney bean-shaped, encapsulated organs located along lymph vessels. Lymph nodes filter and survey lymph, responding to any foreign antigens present. Lymph nodes enlarge in response to this antigenic activity and are often referred to as “swollen glands,” when they do so.