Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph fluid and serve as meeting points for immune cells. They trap foreign particles, bacteria, and cancer cells while allowing lymphocytes to interact and mount immune responses.
From Latin 'lympha' meaning clear water and 'nodus' meaning knot, the term emerged in the 18th century. The 'knot' reference describes their appearance as small swellings along lymphatic vessels.
Lymph nodes are like the body's security checkpoints - they examine everything flowing through the lymphatic system and can rapidly swell when they detect trouble. The pattern of which nodes are swollen can actually help doctors diagnose where an infection or cancer might be located!
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