What are my child’s Lymph Nodes.

Lymph nodes are sometimes referred to as lymph glands, although they are not true glands. In their usual state, they are an eighth to a quarter-inch in size and are widely distributed throughout the body. Ordinarily, they feel like B-B shot lying just beneath the skin. Attached neither to the skin nor to the underlying tissues, lymph nodes are “poppable,” that is, they can be easily moved a short distance parallel to the skin by an exploring finger. This characteristic readily distinguishes them from cysts, which are usually attached to the skin, and from deeper structures which cannot be moved.
The following are the most important lymph node sites:

• quarter-inch in front of the ears (preauricular nodes);
• quarter-inch to a half-inch behind the ears (postauricular);
• at the base of the skull on both sides (occipital);
• under the angle of the jaw, and extending like a string of beads down the sides of the neck in front of the strap muscles (anterior cervical nodes);
• a similar string just behind the same strap muscle (posterior cervical);
• in the midline under the chin (submental);
• in the armpits (axillary);
• in the folds of the elbows (epitrochlear);
• above the crease in the groin (inguinal);
• below the crease in the groin (femoral).

Lymph nodes are also found within the chest and abdomen but cannot be felt on examination.
All lymph nodes are situated along thin-walled tubes called lymphatic vessels, which resemble and roughly follow the course of the veins in the body. They do not contain blood, however, but a thin, clear, slightly sticky liquid called lymph, which resembles the clear, watery fluid that oozes from a superficial scrape or that forms within a blister caused by rubbing. The appearance of red streaks is typical of impending blood poisoning and is caused by infection rising along the lymphatic vessels.

Function

Lymph nodes are composed of closely packed congregations of cells called lymphocytes, which are also found in the circulating blood. Lymphocytes manufacture various types of antibodies, substances that fight disease, cause allergic reactions, and reject foreign organic material. Lymph nodes also trap microorganisms that penetrate the skin or mucous membranes and prevent them from spreading throughout the body.

Some germs prove too much for the lymph nodes to handle, however, and a node itself may become infected. When this happens, the node enlarges and becomes more tender; the overlying skin becomes red. If the node is killed by the infection, it breaks down into pus, which may erupt through the skin as would a deep-seated boil. It is no longer “poppable” under the skin, but becomes anchored to the skin or to deeper tissues.

Diagnostic significance

Ordinarily lymph nodes are not server unless they are squeezed or unless they are infected. When infected. the lymph nodes swell to several sizes larger than normal and become mildly tender. Only those nodes swell when the area of the body they guard is threatened by infection. An insect bite, a boil, impetigo, an infected scratch, chicken pox, burns, splinters or any other lesion may cause swelling.

Lesions of the upper face or front of the scalp affect the preaurncular glands on that side of the back of the scalp. the postauricular and occipital glands Lesions of the lower face or teeth may cause the submental glands to swell. Infections of the throat. tonsils, or back teeth affect the anterior and sometimes the posterior cervical nodes. The epstrochlear glands respond to lesions of the fingers, hands. and forearm. and the axillary glands guard the same areas, plus the upper arm. armpit. and side of the chest. The inguinal and femoral glands swell from problems of the toes, foot, leg. arms, and genitalia. These regional responses of the nodes allow you to pinpoint the area in which to search for trouble.

Generalized infections may involve all the lymph nodes. Commonest of these diseases is infectious mononucleosis which Involves all the lymphoid tissue of the body. Since the spleen, tonsils. and adenoids are also lymphoid tissue, they also become enlarged. The spleen is an organ the size of half an orange located under the left lower lateral ribs. (Composed mostly of lymphocytes. it is connected to blood vessels instead of to lymphatic vessels, however.) Other generalized diseases, including chicken pox and leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells), also produce overall lymph node enlargement.
Rubella is the only common illness that results in swelling of the preauricular, postauricular, and occipital lymph nodes to the exclusion of the other nodes. This is a diagnostic clue in the presence of a generalized rash.

When your child is ill, note which, if any, lymph nodes are swollen. If they are mildly swollen, that indicates they are doing their job. If they are greatly enlarged (compare with healthy node size), too tender, adherent to the skin, and red, the illness requires help from
your physician.

Tags: lymph nodes, Children's health, diagnosis