Which structure is associated with primary tuberculosis and appears as a calcified lesion on imaging?

The Ghon complex is the structure associated with primary tuberculosis that manifests as a calcified lesion on imaging. It represents the combination of a primary focus of infection in the lung, typically in the peripheral regions, and the affected lymph nodes in the hilum. During the initial infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a granulomatous reaction occurs, leading to the formation of a localized area of necrosis and inflammation. Over time, as the infection is contained, these lesions may undergo fibrosis and calcification, making them visible as calcified nodules on chest X-rays or CT scans.

This calcification signifies the healing process that occurs after the primary infection has resolved and is often termed the Ghon complex. It is an essential feature in diagnosing past infections and understanding the progression of tuberculosis. Other answers do not correspond to the findings associated with primary tuberculosis. Honeycomb lung, for example, is seen in chronic lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis rather than in the context of tuberculosis, and Aschoff bodies are related to rheumatic fever. Megaloblastic anemia, meanwhile, pertains to a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate and is unrelated to tuberculosis. Hence, the Ghon complex specifically correlates with the primary phase of tuberculosis and the resultant radi