Histology, Lymph Nodes

Excerpt

Scattered throughout the body, lymph nodes perform the critical function of filtering both exogenous and endogenous antigens and producing immune response through activated lymphocytes and antibodies. They can become enlarged in infections, autoimmune diseases, lymphomas, and metastatic carcinomas. Histological assessment is imperative in diagnosing these entities. In the case of metastatic carcinomas, additional information like extracapsular extension and the size of the metastatic carcinoma is of prognostic significance.