Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which carries lymph fluid, nutrients, and waste material between the body tissues and the bloodstream. The lymphatic system is also an important part of the immune system, the body's defense system against disease.
The lymph nodes (sometimes called lymph glands) filter lymph fluid as it flows through them, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, which are then destroyed by special white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymph nodes may be found singly or in groups; they may be as small as the head of a pin or as large as an olive. Groups of lymph nodes can be felt in the neck, groin, and underarms. Many lymph nodes in the body cannot be felt.
When a part of the body is infected, the nearby lymph nodes become swollen as they collect and destroy the infecting organisms. For example, if a person has a throat infection, the lymph nodes in the neck may swell and become tender.
Cancer can spread through the lymphatic system.
Overview & Facts
Font SizeA A A With the basic facts about lupus, you’ll have a better picture of what’s going on. These overview articles will put the disease and its causes into perspective.
What Is Lupus?
Topic Overview
Like other autoimmune diseases, lupus occurs when the immune system attacks an organ. Learn more about lupus.
What Happens
Lupus is different for every person, with symptoms that come and go. Click here to learn more.
Causes
Cause
Genetics play a role in lupus, but other factors can trigger this autoimmune disease.
Are You at Risk?
What Increases Your Risk
The chances of developing lupus are higher if you are female, and if you have these risk factors.
Prevention
What is systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus?
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE), is a chronic disease that can cause inflammation, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, in which a person's immune system attacks its own tissues as though they were foreign substances. If you develop serious lupus, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, or blood cells.
Although some people with lupus have mild symptoms, the disease can become severe. For most people, ongoing monitoring and treatment can control symptoms and prevent serious organ damage.
There are five types of lupus erythematosus: systemic, discoid/cutaneous, subacute cutaneous, drug-induced systemic, and neonatal. This topic focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common and most serious type of lupus.
What causes lupus?
Lupus has no single known cause. Experts believe that a combination of factors affect the immune system and trigger a reaction that causes lupus. These factors may be environmental, such as infections or hormones, or may be inherited. A person may be born with a certain genetic makeup that affects how the immune system functions or makes him or her at risk for lupus.
What are the symptoms?
Lupus symptoms vary widely, and they come and go. Common symptoms are fatigue, joint pain or swelling (arthritis), fever, and skin rash (often with sun exposure). Mouth sores and hair loss may occur. Over time, people with lupus can sometimes develop problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, or nervous system. Periods of time when symptoms get worse are called relapses or flares. Periods of time when symptoms improve are called remissions. Lupus symptoms rarely disappear completely.
