Globus Sensation: What is the medical term for something in your throat?

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reports, up to 45% of the population has experienced the painless sensation of a lump in the throat at some point in their lives. This uncomfortable but common symptom is formally known by the medical term for something in your throat, globus pharyngeus, and is explored in detail here.

Quick Summary

The sensation of having a lump, tightness, or foreign object in your throat when no physical obstruction exists is medically termed globus pharyngeus or globus sensation. This condition is often benign but can be frustrating and may signal an underlying issue like anxiety, reflux, or postnasal drip.

Key Points

Medical Term: The sensation of a lump in the throat with no physical cause is medically known as globus pharyngeus.
Common Causes: Factors like acid reflux (GERD), anxiety, stress, and postnasal drip are frequently associated with globus sensation.
Not a Swallowing Problem: Globus is distinct from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and odynophagia (painful swallowing) because actual swallowing function is not impaired.
Diagnosis is Key: A diagnosis typically involves a physical exam by an ENT specialist, who may use a scope to rule out other issues.
Treatment Varies: Management depends on the root cause and can include lifestyle changes, medication for reflux, or stress management techniques like CBT.
Benign but Persistent: While not dangerous, globus can be a persistent and bothersome symptom that requires targeted treatment to resolve.

Understanding Globus Pharyngeus

While most people refer to it simply as a "lump in the throat," the specific medical term is globus pharyngeus. The word "globus" is Latin for ball or sphere, aptly describing the sensation many people feel. It's important to distinguish globus pharyngeus from other throat-related issues. Unlike dysphagia, which is true difficulty swallowing, or odynophagia, which is painful swallowing, globus sensation is a painless feeling of a lump in the throat that does not interfere with the swallowing process itself.

Common Symptoms of Globus Sensation

Individuals with globus pharyngeus may experience a range of symptoms beyond the core sensation. These can include:

A feeling of a ball or lump of mucus that cannot be cleared.
Tightness or pressure in the throat.
A choking or strangling feeling without a known cause.
Chronic throat clearing or coughing.
A sensation of something stuck in the chest area, just behind the breastbone.

The sensation often comes and goes, sometimes worsening during periods of stress or emotional intensity. Many report the feeling improves when eating or drinking, only to return when swallowing saliva.

Potential Causes of the Lump Sensation

The precise cause of globus pharyngeus remains uncertain, but several factors and conditions are known to contribute to its onset or persistence. These include:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

When stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus and throat, it can irritate the delicate tissues. This inflammation can cause a feeling of tightness or a lump. LPR, also known as "silent reflux," is a form of reflux where stomach contents reach the throat and voice box without causing traditional heartburn symptoms, often leading to globus sensation.

Psychological Factors and Stress

Strong emotional responses, such as grief, anxiety, and stress, are often linked to globus sensation. Holding back emotions can cause increased muscle tension in the throat. In fact, research suggests that symptoms often worsen during emotionally intense moments. This explains the historical, though now outdated, term "globus hystericus," which linked the condition to psychological factors.

Postnasal Drip and Chronic Sinusitis

Excess mucus from the sinuses can accumulate and drip down the back of the throat, irritating the area and causing a sensation of something being stuck. The constant presence of this mucus can trigger the feeling of a lump that you cannot clear.

Muscle Tension

Excessive tension in the muscles around the voice box, known as muscle tension dysphonia, can lead to a globus sensation. This can be caused by anxiety, voice overuse, or stress.

Thyroid Conditions

An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) or thyroid nodules can physically press on the throat and surrounding structures, creating a sensation of pressure or a lump.

Other Inflammatory Conditions

Infections like pharyngitis (sore throat) or tonsillitis can cause swollen tissues that may lead to a temporary sensation of a lump.

Diagnosing and Treating Globus Pharyngeus

If the sensation persists, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is often consulted. A diagnosis is typically based on a thorough medical history and physical examination of the head, neck, nose, mouth, and throat. In some cases, a doctor may perform a flexible nasendoscopy to visually examine the throat and voice box. Imaging tests like a barium swallow may be used to rule out any structural abnormalities further down the esophagus.

Treatment for globus depends on the underlying cause. Common treatment approaches include:

Lifestyle modifications: If reflux is the cause, avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals, and not lying down immediately after eating can help. Reducing or quitting smoking is also beneficial.
Medication: Antacid or acid-suppressing medications are often prescribed if reflux is a suspected cause. Antihistamines or decongestants may help with postnasal drip.
Stress management: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective for anxiety-related globus.
Speech therapy: A speech-language pathologist can provide techniques to help relax the throat muscles if muscle tension is the cause.
Reassurance: Many patients find relief simply from the reassurance that no serious condition is present after a thorough examination.

Comparison of Throat Conditions


Feature	Globus Pharyngeus	Dysphagia	Pharyngitis
Primary Sensation	Feeling of a lump or foreign body	Difficulty or struggle with swallowing food/liquid	Soreness, scratchiness, or pain
Pain	Usually painless	Can be painful, especially when swallowing	Pain is a primary symptom
Swallowing Function	Swallowing is normal; sensation persists	Swallowing is impaired or difficult	Swallowing is often painful but functional
Potential Cause	Reflux, anxiety, muscle tension, postnasal drip	Neurological issues, obstructions, muscle problems	Viral or bacterial infections, allergies
Treatment	Addressing underlying cause (stress, reflux)	Addressing underlying cause (e.g., speech therapy, medication)	Rest, hydration, pain relief; antibiotics for bacterial infection

When to Seek Medical Attention

While globus sensation is typically benign, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider, especially if symptoms are persistent or accompanied by other signs. These include unexplained weight loss, pain when swallowing, a mass in the neck, or voice changes. Always seek emergency care if you feel you are choking.

Conclusion

For those who experience the frustrating feeling of a lump in their throat, knowing the medical term—globus pharyngeus—can be the first step toward understanding the condition. It is a common, often harmless, and treatable symptom that can arise from various physical and psychological factors. A proper diagnosis from an ENT specialist is essential to rule out any serious issues and to determine the most effective management strategy. Seeking professional advice not only provides clarity but can also offer significant relief, allowing you to move beyond the discomfort and focus on addressing the root cause. For more detailed information on globus pharyngeus, visit the National Institutes of Health resource on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Globus pharyngeus feels like a painless lump, tightness, or pressure in the throat. It can also feel like there is a ball of mucus that you can't clear, and the sensation may come and go.

Yes, anxiety and stress are common triggers for globus sensation. The emotional strain can increase muscle tension in the throat and larynx, leading to the feeling of a lump.

A doctor, typically an ENT specialist, will perform a physical examination and take a medical history. They may use a flexible scope (nasendoscopy) to examine the throat and voice box to rule out a physical obstruction.

Globus pharyngeus is generally not a serious condition and is often benign. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider to ensure there isn't a more serious underlying cause, especially if you have other symptoms like pain or weight loss.

Globus sensation is the feeling of a lump in the throat, but swallowing remains normal. Dysphagia is true difficulty swallowing food or liquid, which is a more serious condition requiring evaluation.

Yes, acid reflux, including LPR (silent reflux), is a very common cause of globus sensation. The backflow of stomach acid irritates the throat lining, causing the feeling of tightness or a lump.

There is no instant cure for globus sensation, as it depends on the underlying cause. Strategies like sipping water to relax throat muscles, stress reduction techniques, and treating reflux with medication or lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms over time.

While often benign, a constant sensation should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out underlying medical conditions. It's especially important to seek medical advice if the feeling is accompanied by pain, weight loss, or difficulty swallowing.