Word parts
What it means
Lymph nodes that are larger than normal, which may be felt as lumps in the neck, armpits or groin. Most often they swell while fighting an infection nearby, such as a sore throat, and shrink again in a few weeks. Nodes that are hard, fixed in place, painless, growing or present in many areas can come with cancer, such as lymphomalim-FOH-muhA cancer of lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the lymph system.lymph/o lymph-oma tumorFull entry , or other diseases.
For the nurse
Describe enlarged nodes by location, size, tenderness, firmness and whether they move. Report nodes that are hard, fixed or still enlarged after a few weeks.
At a glance
| Everyday words | swollen glands |
|---|---|
| Spanish | linfadenopatía |
| Also written | swollen lymph nodes, swollen glands |
Related terms
lymph node
A small, bean-shaped organ of the immune system that filters lymph fluid and holds white blood cells.
gland
An organ or group of cells that makes and releases a substance the body uses, such as a hormone, sweat or saliva.
lymphoma
A cancer of lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the lymph system.