The swelling is usually temporary and harmless. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can affect children and adults of all ages. Diagnosing the cause of swollen lymph nodes may be challenging. Tonsils in the back of the throat are also lymph nodes, and they are the most visible ones in the body.
© 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Swollen lymph nodes on the side of the neck or under the jaw. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. If you notice lumps in your neck, call a healthcare provider. But sometimes, serious conditions can cause such swelling in your neck (and often in other areas). Usually, infections like cold or flu are the culprit. Links to other sites are provided for information only – they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are common among children and adults. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. The ones most frequently enlarged or swollen are found in the neck (a chain of lymph nodes is located in the front of the neck, the sides of the neck, and the back of the neck behind the ears), under the chin, in the armpits, and in the groin. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. There are several groups of lymph nodes, which are small, bean-shaped, soft nodules of tissue. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M.