The lymphatic vessels flow into the chest cavity and become larger in the thorax. There they unite to form the thoracic duct which empties into the venous system near the heart. Lymph manufactures most of the body's white blood cells, or lymphocytes. Lymph glands or nodes are an additional lymphocyte manufacturing mechanism. Lymph dumps material into the nodes, where it is refined for later absorption throughout the body.
Nodes also produce corpuscles.
The nodes are scattered throughout the body, with clusters in the throat, under the armpit, in the groin and along the spine. Normally about the size of a small almond, when the body fights an infection, lymphocytes swell the lymph node by trapping invading disease microorganisms in the node. They are the glands that can be detected during an infection by touching the upper part of the throat, near the jaw. Own Your Own Body , Stan D. Malstrom, N.D., M.T., Keats Publishing Co., 1977. The Colon Health Handbook , New Health Through Colon Rejuvenation, Robert Gray, Emerald Publishing, Reno, NV, 1990.