Hemal nodes (haemel nodes in British English), also known as hemolymph nodes (haemolymph nodes) or splenolymph nodes, are
lymphoid
The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the immune system, and complementary to the circulatory system. It consists of a large network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphatic or lymphoid ...
organs found in various mammals (especially prominent in
ruminant
Ruminants ( suborder Ruminantia) are hoofed herbivorous grazing or browsing mammals that are able to acquire nutrients from plant-based food by fermenting it in a specialized stomach prior to digestion, principally through microbial actions. Th ...
s)
and some birds. Hemal nodes were first described by Gibbes in 1884. Hemal nodes appear similar to
lymph nodes
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 incl ...
in the structure of its lymphoid follicles and to the
spleen
The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The word spleen comes . in the structure in its lymphoid cords. It is presumed to have the same function as the
spleen
The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The word spleen comes . .
References
Lymphatic system
Lymphatics of the torso
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