Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast.

My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be talking to you about necklumps.

And you can find written notes on this topic at zero definals.com slash necklumps

or in the ear, nose and throat section of the zero-definals surgery book.

So let's get straight into it.

Necklumps are a relatively common presentation, particularly in primary care and exams.

Being able to identify and manage the different causes is helpful.

Let's start with some basic anatomy.

There are three areas when describing the location of a necklump,

and these are the anterior triangle, the posterior triangle, and the midline,

which is vertically along the center of the neck.

The two triangles are on either side of the sternocloidomastoid muscle.

The borders of the anterior triangle are the mandible or the jawbone,

which forms the superior border at the top.

The midline of the neck vertically down the center of the neck, which

forms the medial border, and the sternocloidomastoid muscle, which forms the lateral border.

The borders of the posterior triangle of the neck are the clavicle, or the collarbone, which

forms the inferior border at the bottom,

the trapezius muscle which forms the posterior border, and the sternocloidomasteroid muscle,

which forms the lateral border. Let's talk about the differential diagnosis of a necklump.

In adults, the differential diagnosis is a normal structure,

for example, a bony prominence, a skin abscess, lymphadenopathy, which is enlarged lymph nodes,

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