Answer:

Lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) are small oval structures scattered all over the body.
Lymph nodes contain lymph cells (called lymphocytes). Lymphocytes grow and mature inside a
lymph node. These cells are a type of white blood cell (WBC) that helps the body fight against
infections. Lymph nodes are a part of the lymph system of the body. (See the article on the
Lymph System).

Lymph nodes are connected to each other by lymph channels called the lymphatics –- small
tubes (like blood vessels)-– through which lymph nodes as well as proteins and other substances
move from one part of the body to another.

Lymph nodes in different parts of the body are named differently

• Cervical lymph nodes – lymph nodes in the neck

• Axillary lymph nodes – lymph nodes in the armpits
• Mediastinal lymph nodes – nodes inside the chest
• Inguinal lymph nodes – those in the groin
• Retroperitoneal and Mesenteric lymph nodes – lymph nodes in different parts of the
abdomen.
• Pelvic lymph nodes – nodes in the pelvis.

When lymph nodes increase in size, they are called enlarged lymph nodes. When enlarged
nodes can be felt by the doctor (in areas like the neck, armpits and groin) they are called
palpable lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes can increase in size in a number of conditions. Infections, cancer and many
immune diseases can affect lymph cells and cause an enlargement of lymph nodes. Enlarged
lymph nodes are often the first sign of lymphoma, a cancer of lymph cells. But all enlarged
nodes are not lymphoma. (See the article Are Enlarged Lymph Nodes Always a Lymphoma?).
Any enlarged node should be brought to the notice of a physician and investigated for the correct
diagnosis.

Lymph Nodes in the Neck

The lymph nodes in the neck are part of lymphatic system which spread through out the body
except the nervous system. The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system. It
is a one way network of lymph capillaries, lymph ducts, lymph nodes and special organs such as
the spleen, tonsils, adenoids, appendix, thymus glands and bone marrow. The clear, colorless
liquid called lymph is collected in spaces known as interstitial spaces, between body tissues, after
it gets filtered out of blood vessels.

The lymph is carried from interstices by the lymph capillaries, lymph ducts and lymph nodes,
back to the blood circulatory system. Lymph nodes found in the neck and elsewhere in the body
along with the special organs, filter lymph in order to combat pathogens such as, bacteria and
viruses. The Lymph nodes are bean-shaped and contain lymphocytes which are white blood
cells. These nodes are normally grouped in the groin, under the armpits and on both side of the
neck.

Location of Lymph Nodes in The Neck

Different types of lymph nodes are found in the neck area, which are collectively called cervical
lymph nodes. The following is a list of the six types of lymph nodes that are found in the neck:

• Anterior cervical lymph nodes: are located directly above and beneath the muscles which
enable you to flex and rotate your head.
• Posterior cervical lymph nodes: are present at the back of your neck.
• Tonsillar lymph nodes: can be found right below your jaw bone.
• Submandibular lymph nodes: underlines both sides of your lower jaw.
• Submental lymph nodes: located immediately below your chin.
• Supraclavicular lymph nodes: are present in the hollow of the collar bone.

Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes in The Neck

Pain in the lymph nodes in the neck, are generally associated with infectious diseases. However,
the swelling of lymph nodes in the neck can be due to various conditions. If you want to know
what causes swollen lymph nodes in the neck, go through the following list of conditions:

• Common cold
• Upper respiratory infection
• Mononucleosis
• Sore throat
• Strep throat
• Viral infection
• Tuberculosis
• Tonsillitis
• Rubella
• HIV
• AIDS
• Toxoplasmosis
• Peritonsillar abscess
• Epiglottitis
• Sinus infection
• Ear infection
• Cancers: (Larynx cancer, Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, Leukemia)

A patient with the infected lymph nodes in the neck may suffer from fever, however, not
all infections cause discomfort to a patient. A patient may also develop enlarged lymph nodes in
the neck while an ear infection may cause swollen lymph nodes behind the ear.

How to Check for Swollen Lymph Nodes in The Neck

It is most likely that a patient suffering from swollen lymph nodes in the neck has contracted
some form of throat infection due to viral or bacterial attacks. Strep throat is one of the leading
throat infections caused by bacteria. If a sample of one's throat culture who is suffering from
strep throat, is sent to the laboratory, it may reveal the cause of infection of the lymph nodes.
Swelling of lymph nodes that are situated deeper under the skin surface may cause the swelling
of a limb due to, blockage of the flow of lymph through it. A doctor may recommend a blood
test, CT scan and an X-ray of the neck. A doctor might also suggest you to undergo a biopsy to
identify the causes of swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Lymph nodes in the neck along with those located in the other parts of the body, act as the first
line of defense in protecting the body against micro-organisms. Nature takes special care of
children that are in the age group of 10-12 by awarding them larger lymph nodes. The lymph
nodes in these children are twice as large than that of an adult.
Lymph Nodes: Locations and Functions
Lymph nodes are the organs responsible for the normal functioning of the immune
system. They are located in groups mostly in the neck, armpit, collarbone and groin.

Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are small, bean-shaped organs of the lymphatic
system. The lymphatic system circulates the interstitial fluid called lymph to the body cells and
tissues. It also collects waste substances from the bloodstream. Lymph contains white blood cells
(WBCs) as its major component. It is more or less similar to the blood plasma. Lymph nodes, on
the other hand, are made up of various types of cells and tissues, out of which WBCs and
lymphoid tissues are more abundant. The size of lymph nodes in adults is smaller as compared to
those in children between the age group 10-12. They play a major role in the normal functioning
of the immune system.

Lymph Nodes: Locations

Lymph node is located in the lymphatic system, which is distributed throughout the body. It can
be present independently or in groups. About 500-600 lymph nodes are present in the human
body. Groups of lymph nodes are located in the neck, collarbone, under the arms (armpit) and
groin. Lymph nodes are named according to their location in the body. Following is the list of
major lymph nodes

• Cervical lymph nodes - Located in the head and neck portion. In total, they are six in
number.
 • Axillary lymph nodes - Present in the underarm area. They are divided into two types,
namely, superficial and deep lymph nodes.
• Supraclavicular lymph nodes - Situated along the collarbones or clavicle.
• Femoral lymph nodes - Located in the upper thigh portion, along the femoral veins.
• Mesenteric lymph nodes - Distributed in the lower abdomen.
• Mediastinal lymph nodes - Present between the air sacs of the lungs.
• Inguinal lymph nodes - Located in the groin area. They may be supercritical or deep
lymph nodes.

Lymph Nodes: Functions

As already mentioned, lymph nodes are essential organs of the immune system. They act as
filters of disease causing agents like bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. The foreign
particles are then destroyed by the WBCs. To be more precise, the afferent vessels of the lymph
nodes supply unfiltered body fluids to the lymph node for the filtration process. The fluids after
filtration are collected by the efferent vessels and emptied to the cardiovascular system.
According to medical studies, it is revealed that lymph nodes are the major sites for initiation of
autoimmune responses.

Healthy lymph nodes retain their normal size (few millimeters to 2 cm). They are also not
sensitive to touch. However, they turn swollen, inflamed and painful in certain health conditions.
The enlargement of size is due to increased production of beta cells in the lymph nodes.
Significant changes are observed in mild problem (cold) to life-threatening condition (cancer).
Hence, the size of lymph nodes is very important to determine various medical conditions.

During the physical examination, the health care specialist examines for any swollen nodes in the
major locations such as neck, armpit, collarbone and groin. Many a times, biopsy is conducted in
order to diagnose a swollen or inflamed lymph node. The pathophysiology of breast cancer
reveals that the disease spreads from the breast to the lymph nodes located in the armpit.
Considering this, analyzing the presence of cancer in the axillary lymph nodes serves as a basic
technique to diagnose the stage of breast cancer. The concerned physician may prescribe
medications based on the current status of the lymph nodes.
The immune system of the body consists of the lymphatic system, which again is a network that
is constructed with the small structures known as lymph nodes. These nodes work as tiny but
dedicated soldiers in your body, to fight off pathogens. There is this clear to yellowish fluid
known as lymph. It is produced by the lymphatic system, and circulates throughout the body.
This fluid is made up of white blood cells, proteins and some red blood cells, which help in
fighting off infection. So as this fluid passes through the lymph nodes, the pathogens are filtered
out so that they do not circulate further in the body. In case you did not know, the size of the
nodes are smaller in adults than those in children of the age of 10 - 12. The below data would
brief you on the lymph nodes locations in body, and then some more information about the
working of the immune system.

Location of Lymph Nodes in the Body

There are about 500-600 lymph nodes that are located in the body, as different places such as
neck, collarbone, armpits, and groin. The nodes may be present in groups or in an independent
fashion. Let us go through what we are here for, i.e., the lymph nodes locations in body. For
better reference I have provided a table explaining the lymph nodes locations in body.

Lymph Nodes Location in the Body

As the name suggests, these are the lymph nodes in neck. Some of them are
Cervical lymph
also the lymph nodes in head. In the body, there are about 6 cervical lymph
nodes
nodes.
These nodes are the ones which are present in the underarm area of the body.
Axillary lymph
These nodes are classified into superficial and deep lymph nodes. These
nodes
nodes usually leads to the lymph nodes in breast.
Supraclavicular The area of the collarbone contains these nodes. Virchow's node is known to
lymph nodes be the most notable among all the nodes of these types.
Continuing this information on the lymph nodes locations in body, along the
Femoral lymph
femoral veins, are located what are known as the femoral lymph nodes.
nodes
These are there in the upper thigh portion of the body.
The lower abdomen portion has these lymph nodes. These nodes may be
grouped into sets of three. One set is known to be located close to the wall of
Mesenteric lymph
the small intestine. The second one involve the loops and primary branches
nodes
of the vessels. And the third set lies along the trunk of the artery. In total,
these nodes are believed to be 100-150 in number.
Mediastinal lymph They lie in the area (known as the mediastinum) between the air sacs of the
nodes lungs. In other words, these nodes are in the central part of the chest.
Inguinal lymph Coming to the final segment of our article on lymph nodes locations in body,
 inguinal lymph nodes are the lymph nodes in groin. There are about 12-20 of
nodes these present in the groin area, and they may be supercritical or deep groin
lymph nodes.

More info on the lymph nodes: location and function has been provided in this link, in case you
want to study more on this subject.

So that was it for the lymph nodes locations in body. Now let me give you a quick brief on the
function of the lymphatic system. As mentioned, there are several lymph nodes distributed
throughout the body. The node is of the size of a bean. Its inside has a protective covering of a
fibrous tissue, which has the appearance of a honey comb. This structure works as a filter and
pull out substances which are too large to pass through it. So once a node has done its job, i.e.,
dealing with the harmful particle, the lymph node releases it back into the lymph system, for its
excretion from the body.