What is the medical term for swollen lymph nodes in the groin? Understanding Inguinal Lymphadenopathy

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know the body contains approximately 600 lymph nodes, and a group of these are located in the groin area? The medical term for swollen lymph nodes in the groin is inguinal lymphadenopathy. This condition often indicates that your immune system is actively fighting off an infection or illness.

Quick Summary

Inguinal lymphadenopathy refers to the enlargement of lymph nodes in the groin, commonly due to infection but sometimes indicating more serious issues like cancer or autoimmune disease. The condition often presents with tenderness, warmth, or a persistent lump that requires evaluation by a healthcare provider.

Key Points

Medical Term: The specific medical term for swollen lymph nodes in the groin is inguinal lymphadenopathy.
Immune Function: The inguinal lymph nodes are filters in your lymphatic system, and swelling is a sign that your body is fighting an infection or illness.
Common Causes: Swelling is often caused by local infections in the legs, genitals, or lower abdomen, including skin infections, fungal issues, and STIs.
Warning Signs: Persistent swelling (more than 4 weeks), hardness, fixation, or accompanying symptoms like fever, weight loss, and night sweats should prompt a medical visit.
Diagnosis and Treatment: A doctor will perform a physical exam and may order tests like blood work, imaging, or a biopsy to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

The role of lymph nodes in the groin

Lymph nodes are an essential part of the lymphatic system, which is a network of organs, vessels, and tissues that help the body fight infections and diseases. The inguinal lymph nodes are found in the groin area, specifically where the upper thigh meets the pelvis. They are divided into two main groups: the superficial and deep inguinal lymph nodes.

These lymph nodes act as filters for lymphatic fluid, trapping harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells. They contain white blood cells that help destroy these invaders. When an infection or disease is present in the lower body, the inguinal lymph nodes may become enlarged, or swollen, as they work to clear the harmful agents.

What causes inguinal lymphadenopathy?

The swelling of lymph nodes in the groin, or inguinal lymphadenopathy, can be caused by a wide range of conditions, from common infections to more serious diseases. The cause can often be localized to the area that the lymph nodes drain, such as the legs, genitals, or lower abdomen.

Common infectious causes

Skin Infections: Common bacterial skin infections like cellulitis, which often affects the lower legs and feet, can cause the nearby inguinal lymph nodes to swell as the body responds. Folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles) or ingrown hairs can also be a cause.
Fungal Infections: Fungal infections such as jock itch (tinea cruris) or athlete's foot (tinea pedis) can trigger lymph node swelling in the groin.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): A number of STIs, including syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, chlamydia, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), frequently cause inguinal lymphadenopathy.
Systemic Infections: Widespread infections, such as HIV, mononucleosis, or certain bacterial illnesses, can cause generalized lymphadenopathy, affecting nodes throughout the body, including the groin.

Non-infectious causes

Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own cells, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can sometimes cause swollen lymph nodes.
Cancer: In rare cases, persistent or unusual lymph node swelling can be a sign of cancer. This can include cancers that start in the lymph nodes, such as lymphoma, or cancers that have spread from other parts of the body (metastasis), such as melanoma, vulvar, penile, or anal cancers.
Injury and Irritation: Minor injuries, cuts, or even irritation from personal care products can cause a localized, temporary swelling of the nodes.

Symptoms and diagnostic evaluation

Inguinal lymphadenopathy is a symptom in itself, but its characteristics and any accompanying signs can provide crucial clues to its cause.

Symptoms to observe

When you first notice swelling, you might experience the following, which often indicates an infection:

Tenderness and pain: Swollen lymph nodes caused by infection are often painful to the touch and the skin over them may appear red and warm.
Size: The nodes may feel like soft, mobile, pea- or kidney-bean-sized lumps under the skin.
Accompanying Signs: Depending on the underlying cause, other symptoms may include fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, or rash.

When to see a doctor

While many cases of swollen lymph nodes resolve on their own, certain warning signs warrant a medical evaluation. You should consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

The swelling persists for more than two to four weeks.
The nodes feel hard, fixed in place, or rubbery.
The lymph nodes are growing larger.
You have an unexplained fever, night sweats, or significant weight loss.
You have swollen nodes in multiple areas of your body.

Comparing causes: Benign vs. malignant


Characteristic	Infectious Cause (Benign)	Malignant Cause (Cancer)
Onset	Often sudden and rapid.	Typically gradual and slow.
Tenderness	Usually painful or tender to the touch.	Often painless, especially in earlier stages.
Mobility	Soft and movable under the skin.	May feel hard, firm, and fixed to surrounding tissues.
Size	Varies, but tends to decrease as the infection resolves.	Can continue to grow in size over time.
Accompanying Symptoms	May include fever, pain, and other signs of infection.	May include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats.

Treatment and management

Treatment for inguinal lymphadenopathy depends entirely on the underlying cause identified during diagnosis.

For Infections: If a bacterial infection is the cause, antibiotics will be prescribed. For viral infections, the swelling may resolve on its own as the body recovers. Fungal infections require antifungal creams or medication.
For Autoimmune Disorders: Management involves treating the underlying condition, which may include immune-regulating medications.
For Cancer: If cancer is suspected, further evaluation and treatment by an oncologist are necessary. This can involve a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, followed by treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
For Minor Irritation: For localized inflammation, a doctor might recommend monitoring the area, applying warm compresses, and practicing good hygiene.

Conclusion

Inguinal lymphadenopathy, the medical term for swollen lymph nodes in the groin, is a common finding that usually indicates the body is fighting off an infection. While often benign and self-resolving, persistent or unusual swelling, especially when accompanied by other systemic symptoms, warrants medical evaluation to rule out more serious causes like cancer or autoimmune disorders. An accurate diagnosis by a healthcare professional is key to determining the correct course of action. For more information on swollen lymph nodes, consult the official guidelines from resources like the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary function of the inguinal lymph nodes is to filter lymphatic fluid from the lower limbs, genitals, and lower abdomen. They trap and destroy harmful substances like bacteria and viruses as part of the body's immune response.

No, swollen lymph nodes in the groin are most often caused by a minor infection or injury and are not serious. However, in rare cases, they can indicate more serious issues like an autoimmune disease or cancer.

To check for swollen inguinal lymph nodes, place your first three fingers along the crease where your thigh meets your pelvis. Apply gentle pressure to feel for any lumps or tender areas.

Painful, tender swelling often points to an infection or injury. In contrast, painless, hard, and fixed swelling may be more concerning and could signal a malignant cause like cancer.

Common infections include skin infections like cellulitis, fungal infections such as jock itch, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis or chlamydia.

You should see a doctor if the swelling lasts more than a few weeks, continues to enlarge, feels hard or fixed in place, or is accompanied by other symptoms like unexplained fever, night sweats, or weight loss.

Treatment depends on the cause. Infections may be treated with antibiotics or other medication. If a serious condition is diagnosed, treatment will address that specific illness. Often, the swelling resolves on its own.