The tonsils may be red and may have white spots on them. The lymph nodes in the jaw and neck may be swollen and tender to the touch.

What lymph nodes are affected by tonsillitis?

Common areas where lymph nodes can be easily felt, especially if they are enlarged, are the groin, armpits (axilla), above the clavicle (supraclavicular), in the neck (cervical), and the back of the head just above hairline (occipital).

How big is the tonsillar lymph node?

It can be quite large; over 1 inch (25 mm) across. This is about the size of a quarter. Most often, it's the node that drains the tonsil.