Swollen Glands in the Neck

The location of the swelling is important in determining the possible causes. Swellings in the neck could be enlarged salivary glands, an enlarged thyroid, or activated lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes may become noticeable in several parts of the neck -- front, back, sides, upper neck and lower neck. Salivary glands sit in the upper part of the neck just under the jaw and in front of the ear. The thyroid gland straddles the lowest part of the neck near the Adam's apple.

Is your swelling confined to the area close to your Adam's apple? Yes, the swelling is near my Adam's apple. No, the swelling is not in this part of my neck.

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Online Medical Reviewer: Faculty of Harvard Medical School Date Last Reviewed: 8/23/2006 Date Last Modified: 8/21/2006 Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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