Swollen glands; Glands - swollen; Lymph nodes - swollen; Lymphadenopathy Lymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germs, infections, and other foreign substances. The term "swollen glands" refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes. The medical name for swollen lymph nodes is lymphadenopathy. In a child, a node is considered enlarged if it is
more than 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) wide. The lymphatic system has two main functions. Its network of vessels, valves, ducts, nodes, and organs helps balance the body's
fluid by draining excess fluid, known as lymph, from the body's tissue and returning it to the blood after filtering it. Some types of blood cells are also made in the lymph nodes. The lymphatic system also plays an important role in the body's immune system. Infection, even a trivial infection is, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes. Let's look at a cut section of a lymph node to see what happens. Afferent means towards. Afferent lymph vessels bring unfiltered fluids from the body into
the lymph node where they are filtered. Efferent vessels, meaning away from, carry the clean fluid away and back to the bloodstream where it helps form plasma. When the body is invaded by foreign organisms, the swelling sometimes felt in the neck, armpits, groin, or tonsils comes from the microorganisms trapped inside the lymph nodes. Eventually, these organisms are destroyed and eliminated by cells that line the node walls. Then the swelling and pain subside.
The lymphatic system filters fluid from around cells. It is an important part of the immune system. When people refer to swollen glands in the neck, they are usually referring to swollen lymph
nodes. Common areas where lymph nodes can be easily felt, especially if they are enlarged, are the groin, armpits (axilla), above the clavicle (supraclavicular), in the neck (cervical), and the back of the head just above hairline (occipital). Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fatigue and headache are some of the symptoms of mononucleosis, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is generally self-limiting and most patients can recover in 4 to 6 weeks without medicines.
 The lymphatic system is a complex system of fluid drainage and transport, and immune response and disease resistance. Fluid that is forced out of the bloodstream during normal circulation is filtered through lymph nodes to remove bacteria, abnormal cells and other matter. This fluid is then transported back into the bloodstream via the lymph vessels. Lymph only moves in one direction, toward the heart.
Lymph nodes produce immune cells to help fight infection. They also filter the lymph fluid and remove foreign material, such as bacteria and cancer cells. They can become swollen from inflammatory conditions, an abscess, cancer, and most commonly from infection. Common areas where lymph nodes can be felt include the groin, armpit, behind the ears, back of the head, sides of the neck and under the jaw and chin.
Lymph nodes play an important part in the body's defense against infection. Swelling might occur even if the infection is trivial or not apparent. Swelling of lymph nodes generally results from localized or systemic infection, abscess formation, or malignancy. ConsiderationsCommon areas where the lymph nodes can be felt (with the fingers) include:
CausesInfections are the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes. Infections that can cause them include:
Immune or autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes are:
Cancers that can cause swollen lymph nodes include:
Many other cancers may also cause this problem. Certain medicines can cause swollen lymph nodes, including:
Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the cause and the body parts involved. Swollen lymph nodes that appear suddenly and are painful are usually due to injury or infection. Slow, painless swelling may be due to cancer or a tumor. Home CarePainful lymph nodes are generally a sign that your body is fighting an infection. The soreness usually goes away in a couple of days without treatment. The lymph node may not return to its normal size for several weeks. When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalContact your health care provider if:
What to Expect at Your Office VisitYour provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Examples of questions that may be asked include:
The following tests may be done:
Treatment depends on the cause of the swollen nodes. ReferencesTower RL, Camitta BM. Lymphadenopathy. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 517. Winter JN. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 159. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 1/29/2022 Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Can ear infections cause swollen lymph nodes in neck?Lymph nodes swell when an infection occurs in the area where they're located. For example, the lymph nodes in the neck can become swollen in response to an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold. Swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck may also be caused by infections such as: ear infection.
Do lymph nodes swell for ear infection?An ear infection can cause lymph nodes in front of or behind the ears to swell. You might also have ear pain and fever. Ears can become infected when fluid builds up in them. This can happen when you have allergies, a sinus infection, or the common cold.
How long do lymph nodes stay swollen after ear infection?Swollen glands are a sign the body is fighting an infection. They usually get better by themselves within 2 weeks.
Can an ear infection cause a lump in the neck?When you're sick, your lymph nodes can become enlarged to help fight the infection. Other common causes of enlarged lymph nodes include: ear infections.
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Swollen lymph nodes in neck ear infection
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