How many ganglia are there in our body?

The ganglia They consist of cellular aggregates that form a small organ. We can distinguish between two groups of lymph nodes: lymph nodes (organs of the lymphatic system) and nerve ganglia (nodular formations found in the path of different nerves).

They act as one of the best warning systems in our body, as they provide us with reliable information about what happens in the body, especially in the case of lymph nodes. These lymph nodes tend to swell when there is an infection, which means that when they increase in size considerably, it is a sign that they are fighting an illness or infection.

Regarding the number of lymph nodes in our body it is true that there is no exact number, but we can say that there are more than 100 lymph nodes distributed throughout our body.

Regarding the lymph nodes, we can distinguish especially the following:

  • Cervical lymph nodes
  • Submaxillary lymph nodes
  • Axillary lymph nodes
  • External iliac lymph nodes
  • Popliteal ganglia.

In addition, it is also possible to distinguish the following important areas of the lymphatic system:

  • Amygdala: constituted by a reticulum of lymphatic and epithelial tissue that contains lymphatic follicles, which increase in size before stimulation.
  • Thoracic lymphatic duct: in this tube lymphatic circulation of the lower extremities, abdomen, thorax, left arm and left half of the head.
  • Large lymphatic vein: the lymphatic circulation of the right part of the neck and head, and the right arm.
  • Subclavian veins: lymphatic circulation ends.
  • Deep inguinal lymphatic vessels.
  • Quillo cistern: vessel resulting from the convergence of lymphatic vessels from the lower part of the body.
  • Plates of Peyes: set of lymphatic follicles of the mucosa of the small intestine.
  • Lymphatic vessels: ducts that extend throughout the body, and collect the content provided by the capillaries, which flow into it.
  • Lymphatic capillaries: small branched ducts with endings that penetrate the tissues, and are generated from the larger lymphatic vessels.

Among the different lymph nodes that we can find in our body, we can highlight the sentinel lymph nodes, which consist of the first lymph node of a lymphatic chain, so that before continuing its way through the lymphatic chain all the lymph coming from a certain tissue territory passes first through this lymph node.

Autonomic Nervous System: Crash Course A&P #13 (March 2024)