Dictionary

lymphadenopathy-associated virus See HIV.

lymphadenopathy virus See HIV.

lymphadenopathy Abnormally enlarged lymph nodes. Commonly called swollen glands.

lymphadenitis, regional See cat scratch fever.

lymphadenitis The enlargement and/or inflammation of a lymph node. Lymphadenitis may have multiple causes and may involve a single lymph node or a group of lymph nodes. See also lymph node.

lymph node, sentinel The first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor. The sentinel node for a given tumor is found by injecting a tracer substance around the tumor. This substance then travels through the lymphatic system to the sentinel node. The tracer substance may be a blue dye that can be tracked…

lymph node One of many small, bean-shaped organs located throughout the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes are important in the function of the immune response and also store special cells that can trap cancer cells or bacteria that are traveling through the body through the lymph. Also known as lymph gland.

lymph gland See lymph node.

lymph The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system, carrying cells that help fight infection and disease.

Lyme disease An inflammatory disease that is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans by the deer tick. The first sign of Lyme disease is a red, circular, expanding rash, usually radiating from the tick bite, followed by flu-like symptoms and joint pains. After the B. burgdorferi has entered the bloodstream,…

luxation Complete dislocation of a joint. A partial dislocation is a subluxation.

luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone A hormone that controls the production of luteinizing hormone in men and women. Abbreviated LHRH. See also luteinizing hormone.