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What Causes Discomfort Under Jaw While Swallowing?
Question: Hi Dr. Rynne, over the past week, sometimes when I swallow I can feel something move when I lightly feel under my jaw, along my pharynx. In my head it almost has a clicking noise, but it feels kind of the size o a kidney bean and travels down about an inch when I swallow and then resends after the swallow. It doesnt happen every time i swallow. thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Not likely to be significant. Get an ENT examination and USG done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. You are probably feeling a lymph node, the hyoid bone, a salivary gland or a muscle contracting when you swallow. The floor of the mouth and the structures resting on it move down while swallowing and then rise.
2. This is unlikely to be a thyroid lump since anything attached to the larynx (voice box) moves up during swallowing an then down. This is opposite to what you are feeling.
3. The clicking noise while swallowing is normal. The muscles, tendons and cartilages that move during swallowing can make this noise and the sound may also be the result of the opening and closing of the Eustachian tube during swallowing. The larynx and the pharynx may also rub against the osteophytes on the cervical spine.Some of these structures also calcify with age, leading to the clicking noise.
4. Get an ENT examination, a USG (Ultrasound) Neck, Cervical Spine X-rays and a Videolaryngoscopy done. If these are normal, there is no cause for worry.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Not likely to be significant. Get an ENT examination and USG done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. You are probably feeling a lymph node, the hyoid bone, a salivary gland or a muscle contracting when you swallow. The floor of the mouth and the structures resting on it move down while swallowing and then rise.
2. This is unlikely to be a thyroid lump since anything attached to the larynx (voice box) moves up during swallowing an then down. This is opposite to what you are feeling.
3. The clicking noise while swallowing is normal. The muscles, tendons and cartilages that move during swallowing can make this noise and the sound may also be the result of the opening and closing of the Eustachian tube during swallowing. The larynx and the pharynx may also rub against the osteophytes on the cervical spine.Some of these structures also calcify with age, leading to the clicking noise.
4. Get an ENT examination, a USG (Ultrasound) Neck, Cervical Spine X-rays and a Videolaryngoscopy done. If these are normal, there is no cause for worry.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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