In Stannington, there are numerous references to tuberculosis of the glands including cervical adenitis and TB of the peripheral glands. Tuberculosis of the glands is the general term often used to describe tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis, an inflammatory response of the lymph nodes in the neck as a result of tuberculous infection usually as an extension of primary disease in the lungs.

As with many forms of tuberculosis, TB of the glands is generally a childhood condition, although adults are not completely immune. It presents with swollen or inflamed cervical glands and a mass in neck can be seen of felt, although this is often painless. As discussed in the 'Skin' section of our TB tour, the physical appearance of swollen lymph nodes in the neck is called scrofula, this is a direct extension of tuberculosis in the cervical lymph nodes which may involve the overlying skin by forming a draining sinus or through a broken down ulcer. Symptoms are generally systematic and are typical for most forms of tuberculosis, including night sweats, fever and loss of appetite.

Evidence of tuberculosis involving the glands through radiographic imaging are usually restricted to viewing soft tissue swellings in the diseased area, with evidence of calcification in more advanced cases. Calcifications are considered to be signs of either chronic or healed tuberculosis and are commonly seen in the lungs and lymph nodes.

As tuberculous glands are inflammations of the lymph nodes caused by tubercular infection, it can affect any part of the body. Tuberculosis affecting the mesenteric glands, in the abdomen, is also noted amongst the patients of Stannington, as is tuberculosis of the trachea-bronchial glands, found in the chest, and of the inguinal glands of the pelvic region.

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