Localization of swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are located in many parts of our body. Swollen lymph nodes can therefore occur in different parts of the body. Swollen lymph nodes cannot occur in the mouth itself.
However, there are many causes in the mouth that can cause swollen lymph nodes at the typical locations. For example, inflammation of the gums can lead to swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck or jaw area. Infections of the throat or cheek mucosa can also lead to palpable lymph nodes.
Oral floor cancer or other tumors in the mouth cause lymph node swelling in a similar way. The lymph nodes located on the ear are all lymph nodes of the head, but they can be separated locally. The lymph nodes behind the ear (Nodi lymphatici retroauriculares) receive lymph vessels from the side of the head and from the pinna.
The draining lymph channels lead to the deep cervical lymph nodes (Nodi lymphatici cervicales profundi). In the area in front of the ear, the parotid gland, the parotis, is located. At least the superficial lymph nodes (Nodi lymphatici parotidei superficiales) are located at the level of the ear and drain (receive the lymph) parts of the nose, the eyelids and front parts of the face, as well as parts of the middle ear.
From these lymph nodes, the lymph also flows further into the deep cervical lymph nodes (Nodi lymphatici cervicales profundi). From the supply area it can be concluded from the inflammation of which areas an enlargement of the ear lymph nodes can be caused. For example, this may be the case in inflammation of the middle ear or scratching injuries to the face.
In the case of a cold, all lymph nodes in the area of the head and neck are often enlarged. The lymph nodes on the jaw are responsible for the drainage area of the tongue, gums and cheeks. This is why swollen lymph nodes on the jaw occur in diseases in these regions and structures.
They are found along the lower jaw, especially in the jaw angle. Permanently swollen lymph nodes on the jaw are suspected of tumor diseases of the oral cavity. Cancer of the floor of the mouth or carcinomas of the oral mucosa are rare, but should be ruled out if the palpation is suspicious.
In addition, tonsillitis in particular often causes swollen lymph nodes on both sides of the jaw. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are an expression of various diseases. The neck is a relatively common location for swollen lymph nodes.
The swellings are mainly palpable on the left and right side of the neck, mainly in the area of the lateral neck muscle (sternocleidomastoid muscle). In many cases, swollen lymph nodes in the neck are an expression of infection or inflammation in the area of the head, neck and throat. These include, for example, a simple cold or tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
Inflamed boils or sebaceous glands in the facial area can also cause this. Tooth infections are also possible. Certain viral diseases are also often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
These include measles, mumps or the Epstein-Barr virus. In these cases, lymph nodes are often swollen elsewhere as well. In addition to infections, malignant tumors can also be responsible for swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
All tumors in the head and neck area, such asB. ENT tumors or tumors of the throat and larynx, are to be mentioned in this context. Lymph node swellings in the neck can in principle also be caused by lymphomas or leukemias.
The neck is a typical location for swollen lymph nodes in some diseases. The nodes can be palpated laterally directly next to the spinal column in the neck. Often there are also swollen lymph nodes at the back of the head.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck occur when local infections are present in the head area. Possible are inflammations in the mouth, parotid gland or sore throat. Inflammation of teeth or gums can also cause reactions at the lymph nodes in the neck.
In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes in the neck are an expression of rubella or measles. In the armpit there is a network of 20 to 30 lymph nodes, the superficial lymph nodes (Nodi lymphatici axillares superficiales) and the deep lymph nodes (Nodi lymphatici axillares profundi). If swelling occurs in one or more of the lymph nodes, this can have various causes.
Since the lymph channels of the arms (upper extremities) and the breast converge in the armpit, swelling does not allow the exact location of the disease to be determined. A painful lymph node enlargement indicates an inflammation in the supply area. This can be an infected injury to the hand, for example, but also an inflammation of the breast (mastitis).
The exact cause of the pressure pain should be clarified by a doctor. If enlarged, painless lymph nodes can be palpated, this should definitely be clarified by a doctor. There is the possibility of a tumor disease of the breast – a breast carcinoma.
The lymph nodes to be palpated represent metastases of the tumor and indicate a good or bad prognosis depending on their location. In principle, one can say that the survival rate decreases the higher the lymph node metastasis is located. The small breast muscle (musculus pectoralis minor) is used for orientation.
The classification into standardized levels allows therapy guidelines to be applied. On the breast itself, swollen lymph nodes are not found, as there are usually no lymph nodes. The lymph that drains from the breast has the first lymph node stations in the axillary region under the arm.
These lymph nodes on the breast are particularly important in women if there is a suspicion of malignant disease of the breast. In the case of breast cancer, the question of swollen, i.e. affected lymph nodes in the armpit is decisive for further therapy and prognosis. Palpation of this lymph node region should therefore also be part of every examination of the breast in women.
Nevertheless, nodular changes in the breast can be detected during palpation. These are not swollen lymph nodes, but changes in the mammary gland itself. It is important to know that not all cases are necessarily due to cancer.
These are often benign changes. Nevertheless, every lump on the breast must be clarified by a doctor. Swollen lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity cannot be palpated, but can only be detected with imaging measures such as computer tomography.
They are always extremely suspicious and can indicate a malignant tumor disease. There are several wards for swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen. Depending on the area affected, tumors of the stomach and intestine, kidneys, liver or the reproductive organs are conceivable.
Lymphomas can also cause swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen. Therefore, the exact cause should always be investigated in order to be able to initiate the appropriate therapy. In some cases, the swelling is also non-specific or due to inflammation.
The lymph nodes in the groin receive lymph from the legs and feet, as well as the organs located in the pelvis. These include the sexual organs of both sexes and the bladder. The lymph from the skin of the lower extremity is also channelled into the lymph nodes in the groin.
In general, swollen lymph nodes indicate an altered defensive position and an immune response, as in the case of an inflammation, for example. In young patients in particular, swollen lymph nodes indicate an inflammation. If the lymph node is enlarged due to the inflammation, it is soft to the touch, but the pressure on the lymph node causes pain.
The inflammation can either originate from the lymph node itself or lie in the catchment area of the lymph of the lymph node (leg, foot, pelvis).In the groin area there are numerous inflammatory causes: a bladder infection, venereal diseases such as Chlamydia for example, inflamed skin injuries on the legs or feet and many more. But the infection can also be spread throughout the body (HIV, syphilis, tuberculosis, arthritis) and the lymph nodes in the groin can be one of many that are swollen. Assigning a cause for a swollen lymph node is best done by considering other symptoms.
However, a swollen lymph node can also be an indication of a tumor disease, which is especially the case in older patients. In contrast to inflamed lymph nodes, inflamed lymph nodes are not painful under pressure, are hard and do not shift in relation to the other structures. In connection with tumor diseases, tumors of the sexual organs (cervical cancer, testicular cancer), the bladder or the large intestine are possible in the case of swollen lymph nodes of the groin.
Since the lymph transports tumor cells from the affected area into the lymph nodes of the groin, metastases may form or be noticed in the lymph nodes of the groin, even if the actual tumor disease has been cured. Again, the tumor disease does not have to be restricted to the organs of the outflow area. Leukemia also causes lymph node swelling or tumor disease of the lymph nodes themselves. A tumor disease would cause further symptoms such as night sweats and/or weight loss. In summary, lymph nodes in the groin region that have been swollen for more than two weeks should be examined by a physician in order to determine the cause and treat it.
