Viruses: Cold viruses affect the upper respiratory system, including components of the neck.
![painful lymph node back of neck painful lymph node back of neck](https://images.wisegeek.com/man-with-hand-at-back-of-his-neck.jpg)
![painful lymph node back of neck painful lymph node back of neck](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/94/6c/d5/946cd599e9b98d4856d991a57040e6de.jpg)
The thyroid is located just below the Adam's apple and can show lumps from nodules or cancer.
![painful lymph node back of neck painful lymph node back of neck](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/14/0b/f8/140bf8b94ff71b0233c1784cd4c475c7.jpg)
The connotation of the word is almost always negative and frequently associated with cancer. "Lump" is an all-too-common medical term these days. Neck lumps, however, may not be painful, but certainly warrant attention once noticed. When many of us think of neck issues, pain and discomfort are the first things that pop into mind.