What Could That Be I Have A Slight Pain Right Behind My Jaw Bone ?

Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 3 Jun 2020 Answered on

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : i have a slight pain right behind my jaw bone under my left ear on my neck when i swallow or cough. what could that be?

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be due to Tonsil, Adenoids, or Neurogenic pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Apicabo1999,
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern.

The pain you have behind the lower jaw below the left ear can be-

1) An Inflammation/swelling of Tonsil, a gland situated at the back of the throat (can be allergic, bacterial or viral infection)

2) Adenoids swelling (lymphatic tissue ). This occurs while adenoids trap the infecting bacteria as a defense mechanism of the body.

3) When the pain is not with swelling, It can be due to nerve pain caused by Glossopharyngeal nerve irritation or compression by a swollen blood vessel at the base of the brain/some swelling in the throat.

* All of these causes have typical pain while swallowing or coughing.

A detailed Throat examination /investigations to identify the cause of infection/cause of nerve pain is needed for specific diagnosis.

It's recommended to consult an ENT specialist to start with who would refer you to neuro physician based on the clinical findings.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee