!Lymph Nodes  
!!Anatomy
A lymph node is an__ organized collection of lymphoid tissue__, through which the lymph passes on its way to returning to the ((Circulatory - Blood|blood)). Lymph nodes are located at intervals along the ((Circulatory - Lymphatic System|lymphatic system)). Several afferent ((Circulatory - Lymph-Vessels|lymph vessels)) bring in lymph, which percolates through the substance of the lymph node, and is drained out by an efferent lymph vessel.

Every lymph node is enclosed by a capsule of ((Musculoskeletal - Connective Tissue|connective tissue)) from which trabeculae lead into the internal part with the functional tissue. Here, the lymph passes a filtering network and is in contact with lymphatic cells as macrophages. Lymph follicles are a dense collection of lymphocytes, the number, size and configuration of which change in accordance with the functional state of the lymph node. For example, the follicles expand significantly upon encountering a foreign antigen.

A lymph node consists of 
*the __cortex__, where __B-lymphocytes__ are augmented and differentiated
*the __medulla__, with __strains of reticulum__
*the __intermediate zone__, where T-lymphocytes from the thymus are augmented

The __hilum__ is a depression on the surface of the lymph node, which makes the otherwise spherical or ovoid lymph node bean-shaped. The efferent lymph vessel directly emerges from the lymph node here. The ((Circulatory - Arteries|arteries)) and ((Circulatory - Veins|veins)) supplying the lymph node with blood enter and exit through the hilum.

Lymph nodes are particularly numerous in the mediastinum in the chest, neck, pelvis, axilla (armpit), inguinal (groin) region, and in association with the blood vessels of the ((Digestive - System Overview|intestines)).

{img fileId="231" thumb="box"}graphic: wikipedia

{img fileId="233" thumb="box"}graphic:[http://training.seer.cancer.gov/index.html|U.S. National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program]

!!Brain
!!!Relay
__Cerebral Medulla__ ( - / + ) relay location according to body region
{img fileId="175" thumb="box"}

!!Mind
!!!Theme:
*Self devaluation regarding the affected area and it´s associations
*Self-sustainability and self-healing ability

Association according to locality:
{img fileId="157" thumb="box"}
For further associations see ((Musculoskeletal - System Overview|Skeletal System))

!!!Emotions, Thoughts
__Self-doubt, self-hate, self-abandonment__
*I doubt that I can handle that. 
*I doubt that I can heal. 
*I cannot forgive, and learn from that
*This part of me is useless

!!!META-Meaning
*I handle everything life has for me fluently and with grace. 
*Now, I can distinguish my resources from my ballast, and act accordingly.
*I love and accept myself as I am.

!!Organ
!!!Stress Phase Symptoms
Functional decrease and later cell atrophy/necrosis in the lymph nodes. An __immune deficiency__ could be diagnosed. __Lymphedemas__ can occur as soon as there is functional loss or overexertion in enough lymph nodes of a drainage area. The edema will be localised distal from the non-functional nodes.

!!!Regeneration Phase A
The regeneration phase is characterized by enlargement and swelling of the lymph nodes due to the replenishment of necroses through cell division

In case of the involvement of only one lymph node, there is an intense swelling (tumor) and pain (dolor). These swellings are often diagnosed as metastases, if there is another tumor in the body. Some of the other possible diagnoses are: __Pfeiffer’s disease__ (infectious mononucleosis – possibly with additional conflicts involved in its development), Hodgkin’s disease (__Hodgkin’s lymphoma__), or __lymphoblastic leukemia__.

OBSERVE: In lymph nodes, we have to distinguish functional increase and swelling because of inflammatory processes in the area, showing that there is a yet unspecified regeneration phase or immunity (better: “integrity guarding” reaction) in progress, from the functional change and swelling during the regeneration phase of their own healing process. A __functional increase on demand__ is a normal mechanism that can eventually lead to a conflict of the lymphatic system, in case that capacity limits are exceeded. Because of that, the conflict of lymphatics often follows other conflict cycles.

!!! Healing Peak 
Spasms of the lymph vessels and possibly stinging pain in the lymph nodes

!!!Regeneration Phase B
The affected lymph nodes can be painful to touch. 

After the process has been completed, the lymph nodes may remain slightly enlarged, but no longer painful.

!!!Biological Meaning
The biological meaning in processes governed by the Cerebral Medulla lies in the finished regeneration phase. Lymph nodes will be enlarged and by the newfound health phase, more effective/alert than before.

!!Social
!!!Examples
*The client is afraid that he can’t get rid of his prostate tumor. When he reaches a resolution, his pelvic lymph nodes swell painfully. Unfortunately, this was diagnosed as metastases by conventional medicine.
*Especially the local self-worth conflicts have a large importance now. For example: affected axillary lymph nodes in the case of breast cancer: „I’ve been hit in my self-esteem by breast cancer.”
*Children often experience this conflict in a holistic context (as a generalized problem), thereby we often see the simultaneous involvement of more than one lymph nodes at the different parts of the body.
!!Additional Information: 
__Lymphedemas__ can occur as soon as there is functional loss or overexertion in enough lymph nodes of a drainage area. This can happen in stress phase and in regeneration phase, for different reasons:
*The lymphatic system's transport function is challenged when adjacent tissue shows inflammatory processes during regeneration.
*In stress phase of the lymphatic system itself, it's functionality is impaired. 
*In regeneration phase A by regular "healing oedema" 
*After recurrences, when functionality is impaired through scarring and deformation. 

The edema will be localised distal from the non-functional nodes. In combination with an active abandonment conflict (((Urinary - Kidneys - Collecting Tubules|Kidney Collecting Tubules))), the edema can escalate into __elephantiasis__.

!!!Differential diagnosis
__((Circulatory - Veins|Veins))__ (Cerebral Medulla, -/+) vein insufficiency in the stress phase (feeling tied down) or after recurring conflicts can lead to edema and ulcus cruris, especially in the periphery.

__((Urinary - Kidneys - Collecting Tubules|Kidney Collecting Tubules))__ (Brain Stem, +/-) stress phase causes water retention in the body by enhanced reabsorption of primary urine in the kidney, which usually enlarges other swelling processes.

__((Circulatory - Myocardium - Ventricles|Myocardium Right Ventricle))__ (CM -/+) in stress phase (overwhelm regarding support) leads to backlog and oedema in feet & lower legs

In addition, malnutrition (__protein deficiency__) can lead to edema. Surgical __lymphadenectomy__ or __radiation__ can also lead to lymphedema.

__Immune deficiency__ can be caused by functional loss or overexertion in any lymphoid tissue, as well as by medication, malnutrition, and radiation.
