Inguinal Lymph Node

What are inguinal lymph nodes?

Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes located in your groin. Your groin is the area of your body where your thighs meet your belly (abdomen).

What are lymph nodes?

Lymph nodes are part of your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system includes lymph fluid, lymph vessels, bone marrow and lymphatic organs. These organs include your adenoids, spleen and tonsils. Lymphatic structures are part of your body’s immune system. They create and transport cells that fight against infections and other diseases.

Lymph nodes are small, oval-shaped glands that produce disease-fighting cells. They also act as filters for your lymph vessels. Your lymph vessels are a network of thin tubes that collect lymph fluid and circulate it throughout your body.

What are superficial inguinal lymph nodes?

In your upper inner thighs, you have about 10 superficial inguinal lymph nodes. Superficial means close to the surface of your skin. These lymph nodes drain into your deep inguinal lymph nodes. Deep inguinal lymph nodes are deep within the connective tissue of your upper thighs. Then the lymph fluid drains into other lymph nodes in your pelvic region.

What do inguinal lymph nodes do?

Your inguinal lymph nodes help your body fight off infection. As lymph fluid passes through these lymph nodes, immune cells within each node filter out bacteria, viruses and other harmful material. Your inguinal lymph nodes form a major drainage pathway for your legs, genitals and pelvic region.

Where are inguinal lymph nodes located?

Your inguinal lymph nodes are located in your groin. Specifically, they’re in the inner upper thigh area. Your superficial inguinal lymph nodes sit near the surface of your skin just below your inguinal ligament. Your deep inguinal lymph nodes are deeper within your body.

What do inguinal lymph nodes look like?

Normal inguinal lymph nodes are small, oval-shaped glands. They look kind of like beans. The shape of an abnormal inguinal lymph node is more round than oval.

How big are inguinal lymph nodes?

A normal inguinal lymph node is about 1/4 inch in width. The length of an inguinal lymph node should be at least two times its width. When the width of an inguinal lymph node is more than 1/2 inch, it’s considered abnormal. If you have enlarged inguinal lymph nodes, your body may be trying to fight a disease or infection in your lower body area.

What causes swollen inguinal lymph nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) usually mean your body is fighting an infection or an illness. Swollen inguinal lymph nodes could indicate you have an infection in your groin area. When your lymph nodes are at work trying to fight an infection, they may become enlarged. Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes may cause pain and tenderness. Infections that may cause swollen inguinal lymph nodes include:

Urinary tract infections

• Urinary tract infections: A common type of infection in your urinary system.

Skin infections

• Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues beneath your skin.
• Balanitis: Inflammation of the head of your penis, most often occurring in people who are uncircumcised.

Fungal infections

• Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis): An infection that causes an itchy, burning skin rash between your toes and on the soles of your feet.
• Jock itch (tinea cruris): An infection that causes a red, itchy rash in your groin, upper thighs or rectum.
• Yeast infections: Swollen inguinal lymph nodes in women or people assigned female at birth may indicate a vaginal yeast infection. In men or people assigned male at birth, it may mean a penile yeast infection.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Lymphogranuloma venereum: An infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
• Chancroid: An infection caused by the bacteria Haemophilus ducreyi.
• Syphilis: An infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum.
• Gonorrhea: An infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Genital herpes: An infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2.

Can swollen inguinal lymph nodes mean cancer?

Rarely, swollen inguinal lymph nodes are a sign of cancer in your groin area. Cancer cells travel through lymph fluid from the point where cancer begins into your lymph nodes. Types of cancer that can be found in inguinal lymph nodes include:

• Vulvar cancer: A rare type of cancer that forms in the tissues of your vulva.
• Penile cancer: A type of cancer that forms in the tissues of your penis.
• Anal cancer: A type of cancer that affects the anal canal.
• Melanoma: A type of very dangerous skin cancer.
• Lymphoma: A type of blood cancer.

How do I check my inguinal lymph nodes?

You normally won’t notice your inguinal lymph nodes. They can be hard to feel unless they’re swollen. When they’re busy fighting an infection, they may become enlarged and sensitive to the touch. To check them:

1. Place your first three fingers horizontally along the crease where your thigh meets your pelvis. Press your fingers into the crease with medium pressure. You should feel muscle, bone and fat. If you feel a hard lump, it may be a swollen inguinal lymph node.
2. Place your first three fingers vertically along your upper thigh. Press your fingers into your thigh with medium pressure.
3. Repeat on the opposite side.

Most swollen lymph nodes aren’t a cause for concern and will go away on their own. However, if your inguinal lymph nodes are swollen for no clear reason, be sure to check in with your healthcare provider.

What is inguinal lymph node dissection?

Inguinal lymph node dissection is used to look for cancer in your inguinal lymph nodes. During an inguinal lymph node dissection, a surgeon cuts into your groin and removes any inguinal lymph nodes that may contain cancer. The lymph nodes are sent to a lab.

At the lab, a doctor who specializes in the causes and nature of diseases (pathologist) examines the lymph nodes. The pathologist puts together a report that includes the type of cancer and the number of lymph nodes that have cancer cells. Your healthcare provider will use this report to make treatment decisions.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in your groin. Like all lymph nodes, inguinal lymph nodes are a part of your lymphatic system and work with your immune system to fight disease and infection. Once in a while, your inguinal lymph nodes may become swollen. Most of the time, swollen inguinal lymph nodes mean your body is at work fighting an infection. If they become swollen or enlarged for no known reason, reach out to your healthcare provider to make sure there’s not a more serious cause.