People who are sensitive to their own health immediately notice the slightest change in the size and structure of their organs. An increase in neck volume is usually associated with a modification of the lymph nodes. Morphological changes in these organs can be very dangerous for health and even life. In order to adequately assess the general condition, it is necessary to know the normal size of the lymph nodes. This information will help you start treatment on time and avoid complications.
What is a lymph node?
The lymph node is a peripheral organ of the vascular system that acts as a lymph filter. These are leguminous or ribbon-like formations of a pinkish-gray hue, located along the lymphatic vessels near the arteries and veins and in the sinuses of the flexion surfaces of the arms and legs. They are placed in groups, sometimes several dozen, in all, a person has about 460 of them.
The normal size of the lymph nodes in length is 1-22 mm, the total weight of all peripheral organs is 500-1000 g (this is about 1% of body weight). They reach their maximum mass by 25 years, after 50 years the natural filters of the human body begin to decrease.
Lymph node function
Lymph nodes are organs of lymphocytopoiesis - a complex of processes of differentiation, proliferation and development of lymphoid cells, leading to the formation of components of the immune system that are involved in the production of antibodies. Lymph nodes perform several functions.
- Barrier filtration. In the lumens of the sinuses of the nodes, foreign microparticles, tumor cells, arriving together with the lymph, are delayed.
- The protective function is that when foreign microorganisms enter, the peripheral organs of the vascular system begin to produce macrophages aimed at their destruction. The normal size of the lymph nodes is no more than 2.2 cm, with inflammation, they can increase several times. This is due to the immune response, which is characterized by the expansion of the pericortical zone of the peripheral organ.
- Immunological It is expressed in the formation of plasmocides in the nodes and the production of immunoglobulins.
- Reserve. Lymph nodes play the role of a depot of lymph with its subsequent redistribution into the blood.
Normal sizes of lymph nodes in the neck in adults
All groups of lymph nodes are located so as to be an obstacle for pathogens of infections and cancer on the way to organs and tissues. Cervical are involved in immune processes and are responsible for the health of the respiratory tract, respond to diseases of the oral cavity and teeth.
The normal size of the lymph nodes in adults is 5-7 mm, in large people - up to 10 mm. In a healthy person, they should have clear, even boundaries, a soft structure, and be mobile. The skin over them should be without visible changes: not have redness, signs of peeling.
What does an increase in cervical lymph nodes indicate?
Of all the peripheral organs of the vascular system, most are localized at the junction of the head with the trunk. The normal size of the lymph nodes in the neck is 0.5-0.7 cm. With changes to the larger side, it can be argued that the body is undergoing an inflammatory process.
In the neck area there are several groups of lymph nodes, they differ in size, location and protective function.
- The front cervical are responsible for the condition of the posterior wall of the throat, tonsils of the Waldeyer ring and the thyroid gland.
- An increase in the posterior cervical lymph nodes may indicate inflammatory processes in the bronchi, meningitis.
- Inflammation of the submandibular nodes is a sign of periodontal disease, stomatitis, diseases of the salivary glands and tongue, sinusitis, tonsillitis, and otitis media.
- An increase in lymph nodes behind the ears indicates an injury or pathology of the occipital and parietal region.
- Submental are responsible for the immunity of the cheeks and lower lip.
- A change in the size of the supraclavicular peripheral organs of the lymphatic system is a sign of diseases of the lungs, heart, and esophagus.
Lymph nodes in children
In a healthy child, by the end of the first year of life, some groups of the peripheral organs of the vascular system may be palpated. Usually it is inguinal, axillary, submandibular and cervical. The normal size of the lymph nodes in children is 1-10 mm. Of course, it is necessary to take into account the age of the child, for example, in newborns, the volume of peripheral organs should be within 1-3 mm.
As the child grows up, the number of palpable nodes increases. A physical examination pays special attention to the size and structure of the lymph nodes. Normally, they should not exceed the size of a pea and have a soft consistency. On palpation, the lymphatic organs should be mobile (move slightly to the side) and in no case should they hurt when palpating.
When examining a child, the pediatrician takes into account the topography of the enlarged organs, the diagnosis depends on this. As a rule, in childhood, an increase in cervical nodes is associated with ENT diseases of an infectious etiology, toxoplasmosis, or lymphadenitis.
Dimensions of the cervical lymph nodes in tumor and infectious pathologies
Tumor lesions of the peripheral organ may initially come from it, and may be the result of metastasis. The normal size of the lymph nodes in such diseases increases by 2-3 times. The organ itself becomes dense and painful. Most often, the neoplasm is a consequence of Hodgkin's lymphoma and lymphosarcoma.
Infectious diseases are the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes.
- When ingested pyogenic bacteria, acute lymphadenitis occurs. It is characterized by an increase in the lymph node to 3-4 cm, soreness, redness of the skin at the site of inflammation.
- Cat scratch disease is a common cause of enlarged lymphatic organs in children. The causative agent of the disease is Bartonella, carriers are cats. A characteristic sign of infection is a long-healing, purulent wound and an enlarged lymph node located with it.
- With acute respiratory viral infections in children, several groups of peripheral organs of the vascular system increase at once. This is due to the immune response to viruses.
- A prolonged significant change in size to the larger side of the organs of the lymphatic system can be a symptom of serious pathologies: listeriosis, brucellosis or even HIV infection.
How to treat cervical lymph nodes?
Modification of the peripheral organ of the vascular system indicates the presence of a disease in a person. But, even knowing what the size of a normal lymph node is, what pathology its change indicates, it is better to entrust the doctor with the diagnosis and the appointment of therapy.
The inflammatory process is usually eliminated by conservative methods.
- After identifying the pathogen, a course of antibacterial drugs is prescribed. Treatment is prescribed based on the resistance of the microbial flora.
- UHF therapy is performed. The method has an anti-inflammatory, regenerating, antispastic (anti-cramping) effect, improves lymph and blood circulation.
- Vitamin Therapy.
- With purulent lymphadenitis, autopsy, drainage and treatment of the lesion are indicated.
- Treatment of specific lymphadenitis is carried out taking into account the primary process.
Surgical treatments are indicated for abscesses. Therapy of oncological diseases implies the use of specific techniques: chemotherapy, immunomodulators.
Submandibular lymph nodes
Submandibular lymph nodes are located in the subcutaneous tissue of the chin, are not palpable. They play the role of a biological filter, retain malignant cells, and ensure the transport of proteins and electrolytes into the blood.
The normal size of the submandibular lymph nodes is 0.5 cm. They have clear contours, are mobile, not fused with subcutaneous tissue. The increase in nodes is most often due to ENT diseases. Other pathologies can also affect resizing:
- Dental diseases.
- Blood diseases.
- Benign and malignant neoplasia of the head region.
- Rheumatic diseases.
- Infected wound in the jaw area.
Axillary lymph nodes
The names of the lymph nodes are due to their localization. The main function of axillary lymph nodes is to cleanse the lymph. They produce immunoglobulins that resist pathogens and aggressive cells.
The normal size of the axillary lymph nodes is from 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Their increase may be a sign of diseases of the breast, chest or arms. Also, the modification of nodes can be a consequence of other factors:
- Increased sweating with the formation of a large number of pathogens on the skin in the muscle depression.
- Allergies.
- Inflammation of the hair follicles.
- Neoplasia.
Enlarged lymph nodes are not a disease, but a clinical sign of some kind of pathology, the treatment of which should be carried out by a doctor.