What is lymphadenopathy?

Also known as: adenopathy, lymph node enlargement.

Lymph nodes are bean shaped organs (nodes) found in the axilla (armpit), neck, groin, chest and abdomen that act as filters for lymph fluid as it circulates around the body. When these glands become swollen and enlarged, the condition is known as lymphadenopathy. It may be localized to one part of the body e.g. the groin, or generalized involving many of the lymph nodes areas.

Lymphadenopathy is common (particularly in the neck) and though it frequently does not indicate an important problem, it may represent a serious underlying disease.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM