Q. Why in infectious and inflammatory conditions may clinical signs related to the lymphatic system occur?
The lymph nodes or lymph glands have lymphoid tissue that produces lymphocytes a type of leukocyte. In infectious and inflammatory conditions the enlargement of lymph nodes of the lymphatic circuits that drain the affected region due to the reactive proliferation of leukocytes is common. This enlargement is known as lymph adenomegaly and sometimes it is accompanied by pain. The search for painful or enlarged lymph nodes is part of the medical examination since these findings may suggest inflammation, infection or other diseases.