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Glossary

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  • Luteinizing hormone

    (LOO-tih-NY-zing HOR-mone)

    A hormone made in the pituitary gland. In females, it acts on the ovaries to make follicles release their eggs and to make hormones that get the uterus ready for a fertilized egg to be implanted. In males, it acts on the testes to cause cells to grow and make testosterone. Also called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone, LH, and lutropin.

  • Lymph

    limf

    Clear fluid that flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains cells known as lymphocytes. These cells are important in fighting infections and may also have a role in fighting cancer.

  • Lymph node mapping

    (limf node MA-ping)

    The use of dyes and radioactive substances to identify lymph nodes that may contain tumor cells. Also called lymphatic mapping.

  • Lymph nodes

    (limf nodes)

    A small bean-shaped structure that is part of the body’s immune system. Lymph nodes filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease. There are hundreds of lymph nodes found throughout the body. They are connected to one another by lymph vessels. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the neck, axilla (underarm), chest, abdomen, and groin. For example, there are about 20-40 lymph nodes in the axilla. Also called lymph gland.

  • Lymph vessels

    (limf ...)

    Thin tubes that carry lymph (lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the lymphatic system.

  • Lymphatic system

    lim-FA-tik SIS-tem

    The tissues and organs (including lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow) that produce and store lymphocytes (cells that fight infection) and the channels that carry the lymph fluid. The entire lymphatic system is an important part of your body's immune system. Invasive cancers sometimes penetrate your lymphatic vessels (channels) and spread (metastasize) to your lymph nodes.

  • Lymphatic vessel

    (lim-FA-tik ...)

    A thin tube that carries lymph (lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the lymphatic system. Also called lymph vessel.

  • Lymphatic vessels

    (lim-FA-tik ...)

    A thin tube that carries lymph (lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the lymphatic system. Also called lymph vessel.

  • Lymphedema

    (LIM-fuh-DEE-muh)

    A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery.

  • Lymphocyte

    LIM-foh-site

    A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes make antibodies, and T lymphocytes help kill tumor cells and help control immune responses. A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell.