It carries lymph from tissues and organs to lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small clumps of immune cells that act as filters for the lymphatic system. They also store white blood cells that help fight illness. The lymph nodes in the underarm are called axillary lymph nodes.
What can cause axillary lymph nodes to swell?
Infections or medical conditions that may cause lymph node swelling in the axillary include:
- breast infections.
- HIV/AIDS.
- herpes simplex.
- mononucleosis (“mono”)
- Epstein-Barr virus.
- arm infections.
- cat scratch disease.
- autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Can axillary lymph nodes be normal?
Axillary lymph nodes, usually up to 1 cm but occasionally 1.5 cm in diameter, can be seen in normal subjects.
