Neck glands are lymph nodes and, in addition, several glands are located in the neck region. Here’s a concise overview of what’s in the neck and where these glands sit: Key neck glands and lymph nodes

• Lymph nodes (glands): Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymphatic fluid and help fight infection. In the neck, there are multiple groups along the sides and front of the neck, including:
  • Cervical lymph nodes: Run along the neck from beneath the jaw down toward the collarbone, in chains in front of and behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
  • Submandibular and tonsillar nodes: Located around the lower jaw area and the tonsillar region.
  • Supraclavicular nodes: Located above the collarbone.
• Endocrine glands in the neck:
  • Thyroid gland: A butterfly-shaped organ in the front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple, with right and left lobes connected by an isthmus.
  • Parathyroid glands: Four small glands typically located behind the thyroid, two on each side.

Where they sit

• The thyroid is midline in the front of the neck, covering the upper trachea, with lobes extending to either side.
• The parathyroids lie behind the thyroid gland.
• The major neck arteries, veins, and nerves (carotid sheath contents) run deeper along the sides of the neck, with lymph nodes and glands interposed in the superficial and mid portions.
• Lymph nodes are distributed in a network around the neck, from the jawline to the clavicle, and behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Important notes

• Swollen neck glands typically indicate infection or inflammation in nearby areas (throat, ears, teeth) or, less commonly, other conditions. If swelling is persistent, rapidly enlarging, painful, or accompanied by fever, night sweats, or weight loss, seek medical evaluation to rule out infection, inflammation, or more serious causes.
• If there is concern about a lump in the neck, a clinician may perform a physical exam and, if needed, imaging or a biopsy to determine the cause.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific context (medical exam study, clinical notes, or patient-friendly explanation) and provide a labeled diagram description or a quick Q&A checklist.