Are there lymph nodes in your groin? Understanding Inguinal Nodes

September 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 600 lymph nodes are scattered throughout the body, and yes, a significant cluster is located in your groin area. These glands, known as inguinal lymph nodes, are a vital component of your lymphatic system, playing a critical role in your overall health and immune response.

Quick Summary

Yes, there are lymph nodes located in the groin, specifically called inguinal lymph nodes, which function as filters for harmful substances. When they swell, it typically signals an infection or injury in the lower body, but a healthcare provider should always evaluate them if concerned.

Key Points

Inguinal Nodes: The groin contains a significant cluster of lymph nodes, called inguinal lymph nodes, which are part of your body's immune system.
Immune Filter: These nodes act as filters, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from the lymph fluid draining the lower body and genitals.
Swelling Signal: Swollen inguinal lymph nodes often indicate your body is fighting an infection or inflammation in the lower extremities, genitals, or lower abdomen.
Benign vs. Malignant: Most cases of swelling are benign and temporary, but persistent, hard, or unexplained swelling can, in rare cases, indicate a more serious condition like cancer.
Doctor's Evaluation: It's crucial to see a healthcare provider for a proper evaluation if swollen lymph nodes are accompanied by other concerning symptoms or last for more than two weeks.
Self-Check: You can gently feel for swollen nodes along the crease of your groin, but a doctor's diagnosis is necessary for any significant concerns.

The Anatomy of Lymph Nodes in the Groin

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that are an integral part of your lymphatic system. They act as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria, and other foreign particles to prevent them from spreading throughout your body. While you have hundreds of these nodes throughout your body, they are clustered in areas such as the neck, armpits, and groin. The ones in the groin are called inguinal lymph nodes.

Superficial vs. Deep Inguinal Lymph Nodes

The inguinal lymph nodes are further divided into two groups based on their location:

Superficial Inguinal Lymph Nodes: These are located closer to the surface of the skin, situated beneath the inguinal ligament in the upper, inner thigh area. There are approximately 10 of these nodes on each side, forming a chain that drains lymph fluid from the skin of the lower abdomen, buttocks, perineum, and lower limbs.
Deep Inguinal Lymph Nodes: Positioned deeper within the thigh's connective tissue, along the femoral vein. These nodes receive lymphatic drainage from the superficial nodes, the deep structures of the lower limbs, and the glans of the penis or clitoris.

Functions of the Inguinal Lymph Nodes

The primary function of the inguinal lymph nodes, like all lymph nodes, is to act as a filtering station for lymph fluid before it returns to the bloodstream. As fluid from the lower limbs, genitals, and lower abdominal wall passes through these nodes, immune cells within them, such as lymphocytes, identify and destroy any pathogens. This crucial process is a frontline defense against disease and infection in the lower half of the body.

What Causes Swollen Inguinal Lymph Nodes?

Under normal circumstances, you might not be able to feel your lymph nodes. However, when your body is fighting an infection or illness, these nodes can become enlarged, tender, and sometimes painful. This enlargement, known as lymphadenopathy, is a sign that your immune system is working hard to fight off a threat.

Common Causes of Swelling

Swelling in the inguinal lymph nodes can be attributed to several common causes, typically related to an issue in the area they drain:

Infections in the Legs and Feet: Any cut, scrape, insect bite, or infection on the legs or feet, including conditions like cellulitis or athlete's foot, can cause the inguinal lymph nodes to swell. The nodes are reacting to the localized infection as they filter the lymphatic fluid from the affected area.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STIs affecting the genital or anal region, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, or chancroid, frequently cause a localized inflammatory response that leads to swollen inguinal lymph nodes.
Fungal Infections: Conditions like jock itch, a fungal infection affecting the groin, can trigger a response in the nearby lymph nodes, causing them to swell.
Urinary Tract and Genital Infections: Infections within the urinary tract or the genital region, such as a yeast infection, can lead to lymphadenopathy in the groin.
Cat Scratch Disease: If a person is scratched by an infected cat on their legs or feet, the bacteria can cause the lymph nodes in the groin to swell.

Less Common, More Serious Causes

While most cases of swollen lymph nodes are benign, it is important to be aware of less common, more serious causes, such as cancer. Certain cancers, including lymphoma, melanoma, and cancers of the vulva, penis, or anus, can cause the inguinal lymph nodes to swell as the cancer cells spread through the lymphatic system.

When to See a Doctor

Most of the time, swollen lymph nodes will return to their normal size as the underlying infection or illness resolves. However, it is important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Persistent Swelling: Lymph nodes that remain swollen for more than two weeks.
Unexplained Swelling: Swollen lymph nodes without a clear cause, such as a known injury or infection.
Hard, Immobile Lumps: Nodes that feel hard, fixed, and do not move easily when touched.
Accompanying Symptoms: Swelling accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats.

How to Self-Check for Swollen Lymph Nodes

While a healthcare professional provides the most accurate diagnosis, knowing how to perform a simple self-check can be helpful. Using your fingertips, gently press along the crease where your thigh meets your pelvis. You can also check vertically along the upper thigh. Normal lymph nodes are typically pea-sized or smaller and may be hard to feel. If you feel a larger, tender, or firm lump, it could be a swollen node. Always consult a healthcare provider for a professional evaluation.

Comparison of Swollen Lymph Node Characteristics


Characteristic	Benign Swollen Lymph Node	Malignant Swollen Lymph Node
Onset	Often sudden, especially with an active infection or injury.	Can be gradual and painless.
Size	Varies, but usually returns to normal size after infection clears.	May continue to grow over time and become significantly larger.
Consistency	Soft or tender to the touch; often moveable.	Can be hard and fixed in place; less mobile.
Associated Symptoms	Often accompanied by signs of infection (e.g., fever, local tenderness).	May be accompanied by systemic symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats.
Pain	Often painful or tender when pressed.	Usually painless, particularly in the early stages.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to Are there lymph nodes in your groin? is a definitive yes. The inguinal lymph nodes are a crucial part of your body's lymphatic and immune systems, diligently working to filter harmful substances from your lower body. While swelling is a common sign of a normal immune response to a minor infection, paying attention to the characteristics of the swelling is essential. Persistent, unexplained, or otherwise concerning enlargement should prompt a consultation with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and peace of mind. Knowing your body's signals is a powerful tool for maintaining good health.

For more information on the lymphatic system and lymph node locations throughout the body, visit the Cleveland Clinic's educational resource on lymph nodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

A normal lymph node in the groin is typically very small, soft, and difficult to feel unless you are very slender. They are often described as being the size of a pea or smaller and are not tender or painful.

While most swollen lymph nodes are not serious, you should see a doctor if the swelling persists for more than a couple of weeks, feels hard and immobile, grows rapidly, or is accompanied by other symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats.

Yes, an ingrown hair can cause a localized infection and inflammation. Your immune system will respond, which can lead to swelling in the nearby inguinal lymph nodes as they work to filter out the infection.

A swollen lymph node is a firm lump, often tender, that is a reaction to infection. A hernia, on the other hand, is a soft, often larger bulge caused by internal tissue pushing through a weak spot in the muscle wall. A hernia can also change in size when you cough or strain.

Not all STIs cause noticeable swelling, but many can. Syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and other infections in the genital area can trigger a localized immune response that causes the inguinal lymph nodes to become swollen and tender.

Tight clothing does not cause lymph nodes to swell. Swelling is a result of your immune system responding to an infection or other issue. However, friction from tight clothing could potentially cause skin irritation or ingrown hairs, which in turn could lead to a localized infection and subsequent lymph node swelling.

If you find a hard, painless lump in your groin that doesn't go away, it is crucial to see a healthcare provider. While it could be benign, painless, persistent enlargement can be a sign of a more serious condition, and a medical evaluation is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.