Understanding Tenderness Behind the Jaw
I’m a 39-year-old woman experiencing discomfort in a particular area located behind my earlobe, where my jawbone concludes. This zone, situated in the soft deep groove on both sides of my neck, has been sensitive for quite some time. When I exert pressure on either side, it elicits pain. Interestingly, I don't notice any swelling, redness, or lumps, and I also don't suffer from dry mouth, hearing problems, or discomfort while eating. However, I remain puzzled as to why this spot is so sensitive. I find myself wondering if this region pertains to lymph nodes or perhaps some glands. To best illustrate this area, I would refer to it as 'the vacant space between the jaw and the mastoid bone.' I've attempted to discuss this concern with my doctor, but my predicament seems to be brushed off, possibly due to my explanation not conveying the issue clearly. What terminology should I use to accurately describe this spot?
Answers (1)
8/28/2025, 6:24:59 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing tenderness in the area called the "submandibular" region, located just behind the jawbone near the earlobe. This area contains several important structures, including muscles, lymph nodes, and salivary glands, which could be contributing to your discomfort.
Explanation
The tenderness you're describing could be due to a few different factors, such as muscle strain, inflammation of the salivary glands, or even localized irritation affecting lymph nodes. Given that there's no visible swelling, redness, or other suggestive symptoms, this may not point to a more serious underlying issue, but discomfort in this region is certainly uncomfortable and concerning.
Next Steps
-
Use Clear Terminology: When describing your discomfort to healthcare providers, refer to the area as the "submandibular region" or "area behind the earlobe near the jaw." This can help convey exactly where you're feeling pain.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your symptoms:
- Note when the pain occurs (e.g., during specific movements, at rest, or after certain activities).
- Track any activities that may exacerbate the sensitivity and any associated symptoms, like headaches or jaw clicking.
-
Apply Gentle Heat: Consider applying a warm compress to the area a few times a day to help relieve muscle tension, which may ease your discomfort.
-
Avoid Strain: Be mindful of any activities that may strain the jaw or neck muscles, such as prolonged chewing or clenching your jaw.
-
Consultation: If the tenderness persists or worsens, express your concerns more directly with your doctor or consider seeking a second opinion, emphasizing your ongoing discomfort and the inability to identify a clear cause.
By taking these steps, you can better manage your symptoms while ensuring your healthcare provider understands your situation. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Could It Be Autism? Exploring My ADHD and Social Anxiety
I am a 21-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. I maintain a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or drinking habits. My primary concern is whether I might be on the autism spectrum. Six years ago, I received a diagnosis of ADHD along with social anxiety disorder from a psychologist. Apart from these conditions, I have no other medical issues and I’m currently not using any medications or substances. - When meeting new people, I tend to avoid making direct eye contact. I typically refrain from this until I've established a level of comfort with them. - My speech can be characterized by a tendency to stutter and slur, particularly as I often speak rapidly. Engaging in one-on-one conversations and even small group discussions can be overwhelming for me. I dread large gatherings, which cause me significant anxiety. - I exhibit a combination of introverted and extroverted traits—essentially identifying as an ambivert. In moments of hyperactivity, I become more restless and sociable, but this behavior is generally confined to interactions with close friends. At times, I might unexpectedly blurt out something, only to feel embarrassed afterward, questioning why I acted that way. - An unusual quirk of mine is a strong aversion to stickers. The mere sight of them makes it difficult for me to eat nearby; I cannot quite articulate the reason behind this reaction, but it is a consistent response. - Reflecting on my childhood, I used to refer to my parents with terms like "mother" and "father" instead of the more common "mom" and "dad." This peculiar behavior baffles me, and I can't explain why I did this. - I experience several typical symptoms associated with ADHD, such as lack of focus, difficulty managing time, excessive energy, challenges in organization, and forgetfulness. However, I am uncertain if the social anxiety I experience could be linked to autism spectrum disorder. I would welcome any insights or advice regarding my situation.
Severe Pain on Right Side
A 22-year-old female, weighing 115 pounds, has a medical history that includes Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Currently, she is experiencing an intense, ripping sensation in her right side, positioned between her ribs and hip. The discomfort is so severe that it induces feelings of dizziness and lightheadedness, accompanied by nausea. Approximately one year ago, a CT scan revealed a 0.5 cm cyst on her right kidney; however, it was considered insignificant and overshadowed by other issues related to vascular compression. She is confident that the discomfort is not linked to muscle strain, as it began suddenly while she was seated, without any apparent cause.
Could This Be Impetigo?
Age: 40 Height: 4 feet 11 inches Weight: 153 pounds Current Medications: Lexapro, Buspar, Aldactone The rash on my face began yesterday, initially presenting as itchy and mildly painful. Today, the appearance has evolved. I've been applying Bactroban to the affected area. Do you think this is likely impetigo, or does it resemble cellulitis more closely? I contacted my primary care physician earlier and shared a photo of the condition (which has worsened since then). She advised me to continue using the Bactroban and mentioned that I should come in for a visit if there is no improvement.
Understanding Paronychia
At 15 years old, I’m facing a diagnosis of paronychia. I’ve noticed a minuscule amount of pus situated along the left side of my nail, not on the visible front. While the discomfort is evident, it’s tolerable at the moment. I’m hoping to avoid a trip to the doctor and would prefer to know if there are alternative treatments available to eliminate the pus completely. Is it possible to manage this condition on my own, or will a doctor’s intervention be necessary? I appreciate any guidance you can provide. Thank you!
What's Going On with My Eyelid?!
Age: 35, Height: 5’3”, Weight: 182 lbs. I’m currently undergoing evaluation for various neurological symptoms, which include hyperreflexia accompanied by delayed leg extension, a known history of hyperreflexia, and a positive Hoffman sign alongside a pectoralis spread. Additionally, I'm presenting autoimmune indicators such as an ANA result of 1:1280 speckled, borderline dsDNA, along with a previous indeterminate scl-70 of 0.9 and an indeterminate ACL at 17. I'm also dealing with severe fatigue, a past of bilateral ECU tendonitis, and TFCC tenosynovitis. To top it off, there's nocturnal hypoxemia, dipping to 82% while having an Apnea-Hypopnea Index of less than 4. This leads to difficulty maintaining concentration, requiring a stimulant to stay alert throughout the day. I was previously diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) purely based on occurrences of hypopneas. My husband claims I tend to "forget to breathe"—this has been validated, as monitoring my oxygen saturation levels often triggers alarms when they drop, only to recover after I take a deep breath. This issue dates back to when I was at a healthier weight of 120 lbs. I may also have ADHD, coupled with diagnosed anxiety and depression. I underwent gastric sleeve surgery in February 2025, resulting in a weight loss of 96 lbs. My recent complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) have come back normal, though my ferritin and iron saturation are slightly low but trending upward. Additionally, I have a history of benign pineal gland cysts and a 5-6mm right-sided cerebellar tonsillar ectopia, without any imaging indications of cerebrospinal fluid obstruction. Moreover, I frequently trip and fall. Current Medications: Sertraline, Omeprazole, Methylphenidate ER. In summary—There’s a lot on my plate medically, but here's the particular problem that’s bothering me today. It's somewhat subtle and hard to notice, but it concerns the outer part of my upper eyelid. As of today, my right eyelid has been twitching uncontrollably and in short bursts! What could be causing this, and why does it occur so frequently? It's becoming quite bothersome!