Finding a lump along the lower border of the jawbone can understandably cause concern. A jawline lump is a swelling or mass that has formed beneath the skin in this area. While the discovery can be alarming, the vast majority of these masses are benign and represent easily treatable conditions. The physical characteristics of the lump—such as whether it is soft or firm, mobile or fixed, and painless or tender—often provide the first clues to its origin.
Lumps Related to Immune Response and Infection
The most frequent cause of a jawline lump involves the body’s natural defense system, specifically the lymph nodes. These small, bean-shaped structures are part of the lymphatic system, acting as filters to trap pathogens like bacteria and viruses. When a local infection occurs, the lymph nodes in the neck and under the jawline swell as they fill with immune cells fighting the invaders, a condition known as lymphadenopathy.
Common triggers include infections like the common cold, flu, strep throat, and ear infections. Dental issues, such as an abscessed tooth, can also cause localized lymph node enlargement. These swollen nodes are tender to the touch, movable beneath the skin, and usually decrease in size as the underlying infection resolves.
Lumps can also originate directly from the skin due to bacterial activity, manifesting as localized infections. Cystic acne forms deep, inflamed nodules when oil and dead skin cells block hair follicles, allowing bacteria to thrive. Similarly, a small abscess or boil can develop, presenting as a painful, red, and warm lump filled with pus. These infectious lumps often have a rapid onset and are accompanied by pain.
Lumps Originating in the Skin and Fatty Tissue
Some jawline lumps develop slowly over time from the subcutaneous layers, unrelated to an acute immune activation. Epidermoid cysts, sometimes mistakenly called sebaceous cysts, are common examples of this type of growth. These are sacs filled with keratin, a protein found in skin and hair, and form when a hair follicle gets blocked.
Epidermoid cysts often present as firm, flesh-colored nodules that are fixed to the skin surface but movable over deeper tissue layers. They may have a tiny dark opening, or punctum, from which a foul-smelling material can sometimes be expressed. Another frequent subcutaneous mass is a lipoma, a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. Lipomas are soft, doughy to the touch, painless, and easily movable beneath the skin.
These growths are chronic, meaning they persist for long periods and grow slowly, if at all. Unlike infectious lumps, they are asymptomatic unless they become inflamed, rupture, or grow large enough to press on surrounding structures. The distinction between a cyst and a lipoma is often based on the texture and mobility felt during a physical examination.
Lumps Caused by Glandular Issues
The jawline area also houses several glands whose swelling can be mistaken for a lump. The submandibular glands, a pair of major salivary glands located directly beneath the lower jaw, are a common source of such issues. Inflammation of these glands, medically termed sialadenitis, can cause a tender and painful swelling.
A frequent cause of this inflammation is sialolithiasis, where calcified deposits, or salivary stones, form within the ducts and obstruct the flow of saliva. This obstruction causes the gland to swell, with symptoms often becoming more noticeable or painful during mealtimes when saliva production increases. The parotid glands, located in front of and below the ears, can also swell, sometimes extending into the jawline area.
Swelling of the parotid gland is often associated with viral infections, such as mumps, or bacterial infection. While most salivary gland issues are benign, a persistent, painless lump in this area could rarely indicate a salivary gland tumor. These tumors present as slow-growing masses.
Signs That Require Immediate Medical Evaluation
Although most jawline lumps are harmless and resolve on their own, certain characteristics warrant an immediate medical evaluation to rule out a more serious condition. Any lump that is rapidly increasing in size or does not decrease after two weeks should be examined by a healthcare provider.
A lump that feels hard, like stone, and is fixed or immoveable to the underlying tissue is a significant warning sign. While most benign growths are soft and mobile, a fixed, firm mass may suggest a deeper problem. The presence of systemic symptoms alongside the lump is also concerning.
This includes unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, or drenching night sweats. Lumps that cause difficulty swallowing, changes in voice, or trouble opening the mouth widely also require prompt attention. A medical professional can assess these indicators to determine the exact cause and necessary next steps.