Adenitis is a general term for an

inflammation Inflammation (from la, inflammatio) is part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, and is a protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molec ...

of a

gland In animals, a gland is a group of cells in an animal's body that synthesizes substances (such as hormones) for release into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland). Structure De ...

. Often it is used to refer to

lymphadenitis Lymphadenopathy or adenopathy is a disease of the lymph nodes, in which they are abnormal in size or consistency. Lymphadenopathy of an inflammatory type (the most common type) is lymphadenitis, producing swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. In cl ...

which is the inflammation of a

lymph node A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphocytes that includ ...

Classification

Lymph node adenitis

''Lymph adenitis'' or ''lymph node adenitis'' is caused by infection in lymph nodes. The infected lymph nodes typically become enlarged, warm and tender. A swelling of lymph nodes due to growth of lymph cells is called

lymphadenopathy Lymphadenopathy or adenopathy is a disease of the lymph nodes, in which they are abnormal in size or consistency. Lymphadenopathy of an inflammatory type (the most common type) is lymphadenitis, producing swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. In cl ...

. Types include: * Neck ** Cervical adenitis is an inflammation of a lymph node in the

neck The neck is the part of the body on many vertebrates that connects the head with the torso. The neck supports the weight of the head and protects the nerves that carry sensory and motor information from the brain down to the rest of the body. In ...

. ** Tuberculous adenitis ( scrofula) is a tuberculous infection of the skin of the neck caused by ''

Mycobacterium tuberculosis ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (M. tb) is a species of pathogenic bacteria in the family Mycobacteriaceae and the causative agent of tuberculosis. First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, ''M. tuberculosis'' has an unusual, waxy coating on it ...

''. Non-tuberculous adenitis can also be caused by ''

Mycobacterium scrofulaceum ''Mycobacterium scrofulaceum'' is a species of ''Mycobacterium''. It is the most common cause of mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis in children. It is sometimes included in the "MAIS group" with ''Mycobacterium avium'' and ''Mycobacterium int ...

'' or ''

Mycobacterium avium ''Mycobacterium avium ''complex is a group of mycobacteria comprising ''Mycobacterium intracellulare'' and ''Mycobacterium avium'' that are commonly grouped because they infect humans together; this group, in turn, is part of the group of nontu ...

''. * Abdomen ** Mesenteric adenitis is an inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes in the abdomen. It can be caused by the bacterium ''

Yersinia enterocolitica ''Yersinia enterocolitica'' is a Gram-negative, bacillus-shaped bacterium, belonging to the family Yersiniaceae. It is motile at temperatures of 22–29° C (72–84 °F), but becomes nonmotile at normal human body temperature. ''Y. enterocolit ...

''.Ellis H, Calne R, Watson C. ''Lecture Notes on General Surgery'' tenth edition, p. 28. If it occurs in the right lower quadrant, it can be mistaken for acute

appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Symptoms commonly include right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. However, approximately 40% of people do not have these typical symptoms. Severe complications of a r ...

, often preceded by a sore throat. Clinical manifestations may include fever, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Most often occurs in children age 5–14.

Other

Sebaceous adenitis is an inflammation of the

sebaceous gland A sebaceous gland is a microscopic exocrine gland in the skin that opens into a hair follicle to secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, which lubricates the hair and skin of mammals. In humans, sebaceous glands occur in the greatest n ...

s in the skin. These glands normally produce

sebum A sebaceous gland is a microscopic exocrine gland in the skin that opens into a hair follicle to secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, which lubricates the hair and skin of mammals. In humans, sebaceous glands occur in the greatest nu ...

(skin oil, a lipid-rich secretion) which prevents drying of the skin.

References

External links

Infectious diseases Lymphatic organ diseases {{Blood-disease-stub