The root word ‘lymphaden/o’ refers specifically to lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that play a crucial role in the body’s immune system. They filter lymph fluid that contains infection-fighting white blood cells, which are essential for defending the body against illness. The prefix ‘lymph-‘ pertains to lymph, which is the clear fluid that circulates throughout the lymphatic system, while ‘aden’ derives from the Greek word for gland, indicating that lymph nodes act as part of the network that helps maintain fluid balance and immune responses.