#Lymph nodes in back of neck skin

Lymph nodes can also become enlarged if cancer cells lodge in them. For example, a baby with a scalp infection may have enlarged lymph nodes at the back of the neck. Another time when they can be felt is when you have an infection, (for example, a sore throat or an ear infection which can make the neck lymph nodes enlarged, painful and tender as these are the nearest lymph nodes to the site of infection). However, sometimes they can be felt in slim people as smooth pea-sized lumps, usually in the groin. Lymph nodes are usually too small to feel. Some are closely connected in groups called chains. You have about 600 lymph nodes scattered throughout your body.

In children up to the age of 12 cervical nodes up to 1 cm in. They are part of the lymphatic system that filters body. Your lymph nodes also store lymphocytes and other immune system cells that attack and destroy harmful substances like bacteria. In adults, healthy lymph nodes can be palpable (able to be felt), in the axilla, neck and groin. Lymph nodes can only be felt in certain areas of the body (see Figure 1): Lymph nodes are small bean shaped glands found throughout the body, including the head and neck area. The lymph nodes filter out harmful organisms and abnormal cells before the lymph reaches the blood stream. They are found at intervals along the lymphatic vessels like ‘beads on a string’. Lymph nodes (‘glands’) are small ‘bean-shaped’ nodules that contain millions of infection fighting lymphocyte cells. It drains into lymphatic vessels then larger lymphatic vessels called ducts in the neck before joining the blood stream near the heart (see Figure 1).

#Lymph nodes in back of neck skin

Lymph fluid bathes the cells of the skin and internal organs.