The glands (lymph nodes) on either side of the neck, under the jaw, or behind the ears commonly swell when you have a cold or sore throat. These glands can also swell following an injury, such as a cut or bite, near the gland or when a tumor or infection occurs in the mouth, head, or neck.

Swollen glands caused by an injury or minor infection usually go away within a couple of weeks after you recover from the injury or illness. Young children may have small, hard glands for weeks before the glands return to normal. Glands that swell because of a more serious illness or tumor require treatment for the underlying cause.

Lumps in the neck or throat also may be caused by:

• A growth on the thyroid gland (thyroid nodule). An enlarged thyroid gland also may be caused by a goiter or thyroiditis. Most thyroid nodules are harmless, although a small number may be cancerous.
• An overgrowth of fat cells (lipoma).
• A severe allergic reaction, especially if a lump in the throat develops rapidly.
• Cysts, such as a sebaceous gland cyst, a skin (epidermal) cyst, a thyroglossal duct cyst near the windpipe (trachea), or a branchial cleft cyst below the earlobe.
• Salivary gland problems, such as inflammation, a salivary stone, an infection, or a tumor.

Any swollen lymph nodes that do not go away or return to normal size over the course of several weeks should be checked by your health professional.