Where Are Your Lymph Nodes? Location & Self-Check

You’ve probably felt a small lump in your neck or under your arm and wondered what it was. Most of the time, it’s just a lymph node doing its job. This guide will show you exactly where your lymph nodes are, how to check them yourself, and when a lump might be something more serious — all backed by leading medical sources.

Lymph nodes in the human body: approximately 600 ·
Major clusters: neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, groin ·
Swollen lymph nodes caused by infection: most common reason

One pattern across six major lymph node regions: location and texture tell the story. Here’s what the numbers say about where nodes cluster and what size raises concern.

The pattern: cervical nodes are the most frequent site of enlargement, but supraclavicular nodes carry the highest cancer risk. Knowing which cluster you’re feeling is half the diagnostic picture.

Where are your lymph nodes located?

Lymph nodes in the head and neck

• Cervical nodes run along both sides of the neck — anterior chain in front and posterior chain behind the side of the neck (Starlight Health).
• Occipital nodes sit at the back of the neck near the spine and base of skull (Starlight Health).
• Supraclavicular nodes lie just above the collarbone — the left side (Virchow node) signals abdominal cancers; the right side signals thoracic cancers (PMC – National Institutes of Health).

The implication: the neck alone contains multiple node groups that drain different areas. A lump near your jawline may be a separate chain from one by your ear — each has a distinct drainage territory.

Lymph nodes in the armpits

• Axillary nodes appear in three areas: front (pectoral), middle (central), and back (subscapular) (Starlight Health).
• They drain the arm, breast, and upper chest wall — so breast cancer often first spreads here (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).

The catch: armpit nodes are often overlooked during self-exams because they’re hidden. But they’re one of the three key sites doctors check for metastasis.

Lymph nodes in the chest and abdomen

• Mediastinal nodes sit in the center of the chest between the lungs (ProHealthConsults).
• Abdominal nodes cluster around the aorta and in the mesentery — they are generally not palpable externally unless significantly enlarged.

What this means: you can’t easily check chest or abdominal nodes at home. That’s why persistent unexplained cough, back pain, or bloating should be discussed with a doctor.

Lymph nodes in the groin

• Inguinal nodes form two chains: a horizontal chain just below the groin ligament and a vertical chain along the upper thigh (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).
• They drain the legs, groin area, and lower abdomen.

The trade-off: groin nodes are common sites of reactive swelling from leg infections or sexually transmitted infections, but they can also signal lymphoma or metastatic cancer from the pelvis.

How do you tell if you have swollen lymph nodes?

What does a swollen lymph node feel like?

• Enlarged nodes feel like small, firm lumps under the skin — often the size of a pea, sometimes larger (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).
• They may be tender or painful, especially when an infection is present (AAFP).
• Compare both sides — a lump on only one side is more likely to be pathological.

The pattern: tender, mobile lumps are usually reactive. Hard, fixed, painless lumps are red flags.

Common causes of swollen lymph nodes

• Infection (cold, flu, strep throat, ear infection) — the most common cause (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).
• Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) can cause generalized swelling (AAFP).
• Cancer (lymphoma, metastatic breast cancer, melanoma) — less common but more serious (PMC – National Institutes of Health).

The implication: infection is the default explanation, but if swelling persists beyond two weeks without other symptoms, cancer should be considered.

How to check your lymph nodes

How to check lymph nodes in the neck

1. Tilt your head toward the side you are examining to relax the neck muscle (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).
2. Use the pads of your fingers in a circular motion along the front and side of the neck, then behind the ear and down the back of the neck (Starlight Health).
3. Repeat on the other side and compare size and texture.

The trade-off: neck nodes are the easiest to check, but many people press too hard and mistake muscle knots for nodes. Gentle pressure is key.

How to check lymph nodes in the armpits

1. Remove clothing to the waist, sit comfortably, and lift your arm slightly (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).
2. Place your fingers high into the armpit and feel the front, middle, and back areas (Starlight Health).
3. Also press along the upper inner arm toward the elbow.

The catch: armpit fat can hide nodes. Use a slow, sweeping motion and pay attention to any pea-sized lumps that feel different from surrounding tissue.

How to check lymph nodes in the groin

1. Feel the horizontal chain just below the groin crease (inguinal ligament) (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).
2. Then feel the vertical chain along the upper inner thigh (Plymouth Hospitals NHS).
3. Swollen nodes here may indicate infection in the leg or foot, or a sexually transmitted infection.

The pattern: groin nodes are often slightly enlarged in people with chronic athlete’s foot or minor leg injuries — context matters.

What are the symptoms of cancer in the lymph nodes?

Signs of cancerous lymph nodes

• Lymph nodes that are hard, fixed (do not move under the skin), and painless raise concern for malignancy (AAFP).
• Nodes that continue to grow over weeks or months rather than shrink (PMC – National Institutes of Health).
• Clusters of enlarged nodes — especially if they appear in two or more non‑adjacent areas (e.g., neck and groin) — suggest systemic disease like lymphoma (AAFP).

What this means: the texture (firm, rubbery, hard) and fixity (movable vs. stuck) are more telling than size alone.

Red flags for swollen lymph nodes

• Supraclavicular location — highest malignancy risk, especially in people over 40 (PMC – National Institutes of Health).
• Systemic symptoms: unexplained weight loss, night sweats, persistent fever, fatigue (AAFP).
• Node size > 2 cm (about ¾ inch) — more likely to be malignant (AAFP).
• Swelling that lasts more than 2–4 weeks without infection symptoms.

The pattern: a single red flag is worth a checkup; two or more demand prompt evaluation.

Where are cancerous lymph nodes usually located?

Common sites for lymph node metastasis

• Cancer most often spreads to regional nodes near the primary tumor: breast cancer to axillary nodes, head and neck cancers to cervical nodes, lung cancer to mediastinal and supraclavicular nodes (PMC – National Institutes of Health).
• The Virchow node (left supraclavicular) is a classic sign of gastrointestinal malignancies — especially gastric cancer (PMC – National Institutes of Health).
• Right supraclavicular node enlargement suggests thoracic tumors such as lung or esophageal cancer (PMC – National Institutes of Health).

The implication: the location of a suspicious node often points to the organ of origin — a map that oncologists use to guide imaging and biopsy.

Lymphoma and lymph node involvement

• Lymphoma (Hodgkin and non‑Hodgkin) often affects multiple node groups simultaneously or sequentially (AAFP).
• Commonly involves cervical, axillary, mediastinal, and inguinal nodes.
• Nodes are typically rubbery, firm, and may be matted together.

The catch: lymph node swelling from lymphoma can wax and wane, leading people to dismiss it. Any recurring or persistent enlargement should be investigated.

“Lymph nodes are the body’s filtering stations — they trap viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. When you feel a lump, it often means they’re working hard to fight something.”

Cleveland Clinic (health resource)

“If a lymph node feels hard, fixed, and painless, it raises concern for cancer. But many swollen nodes are simply reactive to an infection.”

MD Anderson Cancer Center (patient education)

“Swollen glands are usually a sign that your body is fighting an infection. They often go back to normal when the infection is over.”

NHS (National Health Service, UK)

For anyone concerned about a lump, the decision is straightforward: if it’s soft, tender, and goes away within two weeks, watch and wait. If it’s hard, fixed, painless, or accompanied by night sweats, fever, or weight loss, see a doctor promptly. Knowing where your lymph nodes are and what to feel for gives you a powerful early-warning tool — one that could make all the difference.

Related reading: Self-screening exams for lymph nodes · How to check your lymph nodes

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