Inspector’s Lymph Node in Meat Inspection

Which is referred to as the inspector's lymph node?

Correct Answer: Bronchial Lymph Node

The Bronchial lymph node (also called the tracheobronchial lymph node) is referred to as the inspector's lymph node in meat inspection, because it is the primary lymph node examined during post-mortem inspection of the pluck (lungs, trachea, heart).

Why the Bronchial Lymph Node?

• It drains lymph from the lungs and is the first to show changes in respiratory tuberculosis (TB) and other lung diseases.
• It is easily accessible during inspection of the pluck.
• Tuberculosis in cattle most commonly presents as caseous (cheese-like) nodules in the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Other Important Lymph Nodes in Meat Inspection

• Popliteal — drains the hindlimb; examined for foot-and-mouth disease and other local infections
• Mediastinal — drains the chest; examined for TB in thoracic cavity
• Mesenteric — drains the intestines; examined for Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) and salmonellosis