Lymph nodes in the neck. Location, photos, causes inflammation and treatment in adults and children

Lymph nodes are filters which purify the lymph from harmful microorganisms, foreign proteins and cells. Increasing their size is a characteristic feature that increases the level of stress on them. The large number of lymph nodes in the neck due to the fact that through the respiratory system and the oral cavity can penetrate bacteria and infection in the body.

Their location allows to minimize the rate of spread of the virus and reduce the negative impact of the infection on the body.

The role of lymph nodes

lymph node function is to protect the organism against external bacteria and infections as well as to prevent propagation abnormal cells within the body. The lymph nodes in the neck, which arrangement allows the fight against infectious diseases of upper respiratory tract are also responsive to teeth and oral pathology: cavities, gingivitis, stomatitis.

In some people, neck lymph nodes inflamed during the growth of wisdom teeth, as the load on them is increased. To stop the infection, these bodies actively produce leukocytes and phagocytes, capable of resisting the active phase of the virus.

When introducing a foreign agent in the body's immune response of the body characterized by the following symptoms:

• The increased size of lymph nodes;
• redness over the body;
• light palpation and clear visibility of the filter bodies.

The risk of infection, the stronger the immune response, which affects the size of a cervical lymph node.

Location of lymph nodes in the neck

According to the current classification, in medicine emit 6 levels, and the same number of sublevels cervical lymph nodes.

Level I: chin (IA), submandibular (IB)

Location of lymph nodes in the neck sublevel IA falls under the lower jaw, the front of the digastric and above the hyoid bone. This group includes chin lymph nodes consisting of the mental, sublingual, and suprahyoid schitoyazychnogo-facial protective body.

Sublevel IB is under the jaw and over the body of the hyoid bone, the front of the digastric and stylohyoid. This group includes the submandibular lymph nodes, consisting of predglandurnogo, postglandurnogo, pozadisosudistogo and postsosudistogo body.

Level II: upper jugular

At this level includes all the lymph nodes are located in the lateral triangle of the neck. They are also divided into two sublevels. Group II A is located at the base of the skull, over conventionally designated by a horizontal line along the bottom edge of the hyoid bone. Stylohyoid between the rear edge of the accessory nerve.

This sub-layer consists of a retropharyngeal, tonsillar and jugular-digastric lymph node.

IIB sublayer located under the base of the skull, above the level of the lower edge of the hyoid bone, nerve between the extension and the rear edge sternocleidomastoid muscle. It consists of a surface of the cervical lymph nodes.

Level III: average jugular

This level is below the lower line of the hyoid bone and on the bottom line of the cricoid cartilage. Between the front and rear area of ​​the sensitive cervical plexus branches. Average jugular lymph nodes include superior thyroid and deep lateral.

Level V: rear units

This level has two sublevels. lymph nodes VA group is at an angle of intersection of the trapezius and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, but above the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage. Between the rear region sensitive branches and trapezius muscle. VA sublayer consists of intercalated and zadnesheynyh lateral view nodes.

The lymph nodes in the neck, the location of which is indicated sublayer V B are at the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage, but above the clavicle. Trapezius muscle and between the rear region sensitive branches. This class consists of transverse cervical, supraclavicular (Virchow without) and lower deep lateral lymph nodes.

Level VI: front units

This level is below the hyoid bone, but above the jugular notch of the sternum. Between the carotid arteries on both sides. This group is made up of pre- and paratracheal, and predperstnevidnogo peritireodnogo type nodes.

Lymph nodes are not included in the classification

In addition to these types of cervical nodes, there is a separate category, which is not included in the overall classification.

It consists of the following organs of the immune system:

• BTE;
• suboccipital;
• parotid (nearest to and inside of the parotid gland);
• retropharyngeal;
• facial;
• upper mediastinal.

Standard Sizes cervical lymph nodes in adults and children

In medicine, the norm is considered to be the size of lymph nodes to 10 mm. But in children, this figure may exceed the permissible limits within 12-13 mm. This is due to the fact that the child protection system is not yet fully formed.

Symptoms of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck

Lymph nodes in the neck (the location allows them to control the penetration of infection through the upper respiratory tract) when a threat to react by certain symptoms. This feature facilitates the installation of the diagnosis and allows to take timely measures to address threats to health.

Symptoms are characterized by inflammation of cervical lymph nodes may differ depending on the location of the body. Thus a small increase in size and light pain on palpation is considered borderline condition, which is not dangerous if it is found after a recent infection or background organic health problems.

Once the blood test will reveal a normal concentration of leukocytes in the body, size of lymph node returns to the previous parameters.

But there are some signs that should not be ignored:

• Swallowing causes pain;
  
• sensation in the throat of a foreign object;
• regular headache;
• fever;
• chills;
• tenderness inflamed area;
• watery eyes;
• shooting pain in the ear;
• redness of the skin;
• dense texture of the filter body.

Reasons for increase in lymph nodes

The increase in body size is a sign of the strengthened load on it. This could trigger the development of an infectious or bacterial disease, which is trying to fight the immune system.

The lymph nodes in the neck, which arrangement allows to control the penetration of harmful microorganisms through the nose, ear and oral cavity and often inflamed with SARS, rubella and scarlet fever. But depending on the localization of the pathological process can be set quickly the disease and identify the root cause.

Common diseases that cause inflammation of a certain type of cervical lymph nodes:

name of the lymph nodes	Typical signs of inflammation	Aggravating factors
submandibular	tenderness on pressure; node moves freely; soft consistence organ	SARS; measles; peritonsillar abscess; tonsillitis; periodontal disease; caries; inflammation of the salivary gland
significantly protrudes node; dense consistency; no pain	malignant tumor in the jaw, mouth, salivary gland
Perednesheynye	soft texture; pain on pressure	furuncle; stomatitis; herpes; cyst tooth root; pulpitis; osteomyelitis; thyroid disease; tuberculosis
dense consistency lymph node; does not hurt; does not move	The cancer in the mouth area of ​​the mouth, jaw, shchitovidki
Zasheynye	pain; lymph node is able to move in different directions	furuncle; ringworm; carbuncle; occipital abscess; other fungal diseases
no pain; does not move; tuberosity	malignancy in the neck

Should palpable lymph nodes?

In a young child can be felt by palpation of the cervical lymph nodes, and this is not a pathological symptom. This is due to the child's body structure. Adults find cleaning bodies can be only in the boundary condition, which is a sign of sluggish pathological process at an early stage of development.

Classification of cervical lymphadenitis

In medicine have identified a number of classifications of inflammation cervical lymph nodes (lymphadenitis). Data specified in them are used to determine a diagnosis.

Depending on the duration of the transition period lymphadenitis from the latent state to the active phase:

• Acute. Characterized by bright clinical symptoms, the duration of about 15 days. This form often develops in infected wounds and as a result of postoperative complications.
• Chronic. Duration is approximately 1 month or more. This form is typical for infectious pathologies protracted properties, as well as autoimmune disorders and cancer.
• palindromic. This type is characterized by periodic episodes of exacerbations and periods of relief the same lymph node, but the inflammation can be switched on and nearby organs.

Depending on the etiology of the disease process:

• non-specific form - the agent is conditionally pathogenic microflora that develops in a pathogenic condition quickly treatable under favorable conditions;
• specific form - develops when exposed to a certain type of pathogens, thereby lymphadenitis acts as a symptom of the underlying disease.

By the nature of the pathological process lymphadenitis it is:

• serous - characteristic of the viral and cancer etiology;
• purulent - develops in chronic bacterial disease.

methods of diagnosis

The first sign of increase limfauzlov lymphadenitis is 1.5 or 2 times. This occurs due to an increase in interstitial fluid reserve organ parenchyma and increasing the concentration of white blood cells, due to the protective reaction of the organism to invade infection.

This feature is fundamental in the diagnosis of disease. The combination of his medical history, additional pathological symptoms and bacteriological examination allows the doctor to ascertain the diagnosis.

The main types of diagnostic tests and research:

• general blood analysis - to determine the number of leukocytes in the plasma and identifying pathogen pathology;
• bakposev - to confirm or disprove the presence of staphylococci and streptococci;
• ultrasound;
  
• biopsy - in order to identify rare species infections and abnormal cancer cells.

Treatment of inflamed glands drugs

Based on the established diagnosis doctor prescribes a treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that reduce the unpleasant symptoms. Duration of administration and dosage specialist sets based on the type and severity of the pathology, as well as the patient's individual characteristics.

groups of drugs used to treat limfadermita:

• antibacterial (Amikacin, norfloxacin) - inhibit the viability of the bacteria, by disrupting the cell membrane, drugs are prescribed, if the disease is a bacterial form.
• antiviral (Amantandin, Remantandin) - prevent the spread of viral infection inhibition of DNA replication, drugs are appointed, if the causative agent of the pathological process is a virus.
• antifungal (Diflazon, Mikosist) - inhibit fungus spores inside penetrating through membrane cells are used in fungal exciter lymphadenitis.
• antiseptics (Levomekol, Dioksidin) - have a depressing effect on infection by breakage of the skin in the neck and face.
• NSAIDs (Nurofen, Ketanov) - inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, reduce pain, fever and inflammation.
  
• antihistamines (Tavegil, Suprastin) - apply if the inflammation was triggered by an allergen, promote vasoconstriction and reduce the permeability of capillary walls in areas of inflammation that allows you to restore the normal lymph nodes the size.

Treatment of folk remedies. Recipes and reception circuit

In addition to the use of medicinal drugs is allowed folk remedies, if the doctor recommends their use. This allows you to speed recovery, reduce inflammation and restore the usual lymph node size.

means effective recipes:

• Gathering herbs chamomile, marigold, mint combine in equal proportions. 30 g of steamed mixture of 250 ml of boiling water, stand min., Clean. Use for rinsing the mouth and throat every 2 h. Therapy is conducted to eliminate the pathological process.
• Fill a glass bowl with fresh leaves of walnut. Pour rubbing alcohol and let stand in the dark 10 days. During this time, periodically shake the medication. When ready to clean the infusion and apply compresses, applying to the inflamed areas. The therapy every day until complete recovery.
• Grind purified Echinacea root. 30g Pour mixture 2 l of water and boil for 2 h, not allowing broth to boil. After removing from heat cover and stand for 12 hours, to clear after a time. Take broth inside, with 80 ml in the morning and evening. The course of treatment - 10 days.
• Dissolve in 200 ml water at a comfortable temperature 5 grams of salt and baking soda. To conduct a solution treatment gargling and mouth every 2 hours. per day is recommended to do 4-5 treatments. Duration of treatment - to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms.
  
• Cut off from the aloe, older than 3 years of age, 2-3 lower leaves. Wash them, dry with a paper towel. Put in the refrigerator for 3 days. At the end of the allotted time to grind composition slurry. Take 20 ml of the medication daily. Duration of treatment - 7 days.

What not to do with an increase in cervical lymph nodes?

When inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes need to know what is strictly forbidden to do so as not to provoke even greater health problems.

Do not:

1. Warming inflamed areasBecause the infection when heated strongly activated and spreads rapidly throughout the body, but primarily, it threatens the penetration of bacteria into the brain.
   
2. To do a massage, Since the current amplification lymph pathogens penetrate into all areas of the body that can cause blood poisoning.

Why is it dangerous self

All drugs have dual action. Assignment of the correct dosage form and is comparable disease severity has benefits for the organism. However, the use of drugs on their own, at their discretion, may face serious consequences for health.

Only a doctor can determine the relationship between drug use and the possible negative effects on the body, studying the history of the disease, the condition of the patient and his individual peculiarities. In most cases, self provokes the development of a number of side effects, which further exacerbates the problem.

The danger which threatens with self-medication:

• treatment failure. Medications may not correspond to the type of the disease, as to provoke a pathological process may be completely different types of pathogens.
• Tolerance to the drug action. Uncontrolled application may cause harmful microorganisms resistance to the drug. As a result, it will only complicate the situation and weaken the immune system.
• drug incompatibility. Many drugs are not suitable for combination with each other, so their simultaneous application may like to weaken and intensify the effect of active components, which threatens the development of side effects, deterioration of health, further spread of the infection and the development of complications.

Consequences and outlook

With timely and adequate treatment, the prognosis is favorable for the patient and allows you to avoid surgery. Otherwise not dolechennoe inflammation of cervical lymph nodes can cause serious consequences for the patient.

Possible complications:

• abscesses - a thin-walled capsule filled with purulent content, with little impact provokes broken and further spread of infection.
• Phlegmon - purulent pathology which seamlessly extends to the surrounding tissue, involving them in the inflammatory process.
  
• Sepsis - causes a rapid spread of infection throughout the body, which threatens lethal to humans.
• Phlebitis - tissue inflammation node liquid penetrates into the veins, causing them inflammation and causing blood clots.
• malignant tumor - chronic form of lymphadenitis over time can cause degeneration of the inflamed organ in cancer cells.

Lymph nodes in the neck serve an important function in the body, as their location allows you to monitor the impact of bacteria and infections in the upper respiratory tract, oral cavity and the organs of hearing.

Therefore, any inflammatory process should not be ignored because they do not always have the immune system strong enough to resist pathogens. The earlier the treatment is carried out, the less damage they can cause to the body.

Registration of the article: Lozinski Oleg

Video of the lymph nodes in the neck

What is the lymph nodes, the location and why they are inflamed: