Lymph nodes are your immune system’s first line of defense, protecting you from things like bacteria or viruses that could make you sick. You have hundreds of the small, round, or
bean-shaped glands all over your body. Most are spread out, but some are found in groups in a few major places, like your neck, under your arm, and in your chest, belly, and groin. You might be able to feel some of the clusters in those areas as little bumps, but typically, you don't feel them or even know they are three. Your lymph nodes are part of your lymphatic system. Along with your
spleen, tonsils, and adenoids, they help you fight off illness and infections. As the fluid flows through, cells called lymphocytes help protect you from harmful germs. There are two kinds of lymphocytes -- B-lymphocytes (or B-cells) and T-lymphocytes (or T-cells). Lymph fluid also carries protein, waste, cellular debris (what’s left after a cell dies), bacteria, viruses, and excess fat that are filtered by the lymphatic system before it’s dumped back into the bloodstream. When there’s a problem in your body, like an illness
or an infection, your lymph nodes can swell. (This usually happens only in one area at a time.) It’s a sign that more lymphocytes are in action than usual, trying to kill off germs. You may notice this most often in the glands in your neck. That’s why your doctor feels the area under your jawbone. They’re checking to see if those glands are bigger than usual or tender. Many things can make your lymph nodes swell. Any infection can trigger it, including a cold
or the flu, an ear infection, STDs (usually inguinal), shingles, tuberculosis, or an
abscessed tooth. Rarely a vaccine can cause swollen lymph nodes on the side of the vaccination. Much less often, it can be a sign of something more serious, like cancer. Sometimes medicines like phenytoin (taken for
seizures), or drugs that prevent malaria can cause swollen lymph nodes, too. 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. Common 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.  What does swollen lymph nodes in your back mean?Swollen lymph nodes usually occur as a result of infection from bacteria or viruses. Rarely, swollen lymph nodes are caused by cancer. Your lymph nodes, also called lymph glands, play a vital role in your body's ability to fight off infections.
How can I tell if my lymph nodes are swollen in my back?Swollen lymph nodes will feel like soft, round bumps, and they may be the size of a pea or a grape. They might be tender to the touch, which indicates inflammation. In some cases, the lymph nodes will also look larger than usual. Lymph nodes appear in parallel on both sides of the body.
Are there lymph nodes on your lower back?The periaortic lymph nodes (also known as lumbar) are a group of lymph nodes that lie in front of the lumbar vertebrae near the aorta. These lymph nodes receive drainage from the gastrointestinal tract and the abdominal organs.
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. Can lymph nodes hurt your back?Some people experience lower back pain that is unexplained. It is thought that this may be caused by expanding lymph nodes pressing on nerves. As lymphomas progress and cancerous lymphocytes spread beyond the lymphatic system, the body loses its ability to fight infection.
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Are there lymph nodes in your back
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