could be a parotid tumour
The appearance of painful and swollen lymph nodes is another reason for consulting a doctor.
It could be a swollen lymph node... or something serious... you should contact a doctor if it doesn't go away (or if it is painful right now).
Lymphatic vessels are vein-like tubes connected at one end to the tiny organs known as lymph nodes, which carry the lymph (serum full of white blood cells) from the lymph node to the heart. Lymphatic nodes are part of the Lymphatic System, which helps the Immune System fight against pathogens. Whenever you get sick with the flu or some similar virus, your lymph nodes can become swollen--this is why doctors feel the side of your throat when they check you over at an appointment! They're checking to see if your tonsils (lymph nodes in your throat) are swollen.
"The Lymph Nodes, or glands, are small tissue masses in which some protective cells are stored. If pathogens invade your body, many of them are carried to the lymph nodes to be destroyed. This is why your lymph nodes often feel swollen when you have a cold or the flu." (From An Invitation to Health, 2009-2010 Edition, by Dianne Hales)
They can if they're the ones in your airway ... that is the tonsils and adenoids.
swollen lymph node due to infection, usually in the head region.
The appearance of painful and swollen lymph nodes is another reason for consulting a doctor.
Torn legaments
It could just be a swollen lymph-node.
A small bump or knot behind the ear can be an injury, cyst, or a swollen lymph gland. If you hit this area in an accident, then it may cause a bump to appear that is painful. It could also be a benign cyst that may require removal. Swollen lymph glands behind the ear can be due to bacterial infections.
Swollen lymph nodes are generally painful. Swelling of the lymph nodes throughout your body may indicate an infection. Also, it could be indicative of an immune disorder. Either way, the swelling will cause an inflammatory reaction and will thus affect the nerves in the area by the pressure.
More info - Hi, I can't get an answer anywhere... so, you know how there are lymph nodes under the ear and behind the jaw; like where there are muscles? Okay, so I've had swollen lymph nodes there before and I got them about a month ago again. At the time they were painful and swollen. Now, I think they just stayed swollen. But they are hard as bone. So is there bone there that I could be feeling? Or are they actual hard, swollen lymph nodes? The right one is a little lower than the left side. They're below the mastoid process. I believe it's in the cervical lymph node region. Any thoughts?
A small, painless bump behind the ear of a child can be many different things. Some causes of this include mastoiditis, dermatitis, swollen lymph nodes, sebaceous cysts, cancers, and parasitic infections.
The most common cause of a swollen lymph node behind the ear in a child is due to an infection of some sort. It could be an ear infection, flu or tonsillitis.
If a lymph node becomes very swollen and painful, the family doctor may decide to drain it.
possibly an swollen lymph node possibly an swollen lymph node
It depends on where your body is swollen. Lymph nodes are everywhere.