Wright's stain, 500x

During inflammation of the lymph nodes, there will be an increase in the number of inflammatory cells present and their type will vary with the type of inflammatory process. Note the neutrophils and macrophage in the microphotograph on the left, admixed with small mature lymphocytes whose cytoplasm is hardly discernible. Note that during lymphadenitis or lymph node hyperplasia, the lymphoid cell population will be mostly composed of mature lymphocytes (see Normal Lymph Nodes). However, the proportion of plasma cells can be increased during lymphadenomegaly due to the presence of antigenic stimulation, which elicits an immune response (causing a "reactive" or hyperplastic lymph node).