BRAINCAKELymph Nodes
Along the lymph vessels are small swellings called lymph nodes. All lymph passes through at least one node before it is returned to the blood. Lymph nodes are found throughout the body, but they are clustered in particular places, including the neck, the armpits and the groin.
Lymph nodes play a key part in defending the body against disease. They contain large numbers of white blood cells:
Macrophages engulf and destroy pathogens, dead cells and debris by phagocytosis. As lymph filters slowly through the node, bacteria and other foreign particles are trapped and removed before the lymph returns to the blood.
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Key terms in this lesson
- antigen
- A molecule, usually a protein, recognised as foreign by the immune system, which triggers an immune response.
- antibody
- A protein produced by B lymphocytes (plasma cells) that binds specifically to an antigen, helping to destroy pathogens.
More in Circulatory Systems
- Capillaries
- Veins and venules
- Tissue Fluid
- Oncotic Pressure
- Hydrostatic Pressure
- Arterial End of Capillaries
- Venous End of Capillaries
- Formation of Lymph
All 33 lessons in Circulatory Systems · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics