Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| linfonodo | masculine | |
| gânglio linfático | /ˈɡɐ̃.ɡlju lĩˈfa.t͡ʃi.ku/ (Brazil, word by word) | masculine |
The terms refer to the oval-shaped, filtering bodies of the lymphatic system. In a medical or technical setting, linfonodo is used, while gânglio linfático is a common way to refer to them in both clinical and general settings.
Which one should you use?
linfonodo is the standard technical and medical term used by healthcare professionals. In contrast, gânglio linfático is a common term used in both clinical and general contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term linfonodo is an alternative. Additionally, the colloquial term íngua is used in Brazil to refer specifically to swollen lymph nodes and caroço is sometimes used in casual contexts to describe a lump or bump caused by swelling.
How does it change in a sentence?
linfonodo is a masculine noun. Its plural form is linfonodos. gânglio linfático is also a masculine noun. Its plural form is gânglios linfáticos.
Did you know?
- While linfonodo is the technical standard, a Brazilian patient is more likely to describe a swollen node as a caroço, which literally means 'nut' or 'hard seed'.
- While linfonodo is the standard term for medical diagrams and professional reports, a doctor in Brazil will often switch to the informal íngua when speaking directly to a patient. This helps ensure the patient understands the physical sensation being described.
- The Portuguese word nodo, used in the technical term linfonodo, shares a common ancestor with the English word 'knot'. Both descend from the Latin nōdus, describing a structural tie or knot.
Examples in context
- Tenho um gânglio inflamado no pescoço, melhor consultar um médico.I have a swollen lymph node in my neck, it's better to see a doctor.
- O médico examinou cada linfonodo.The doctor examined every lymph node.
- A infecção afetou um linfonodo próximo.The infection affected a nearby lymph node.
Example conversation
A doctor is explaining a medical finding to a patient.
- LucasNotei um linfonodo inflamado aqui.I noticed an inflamed lymph node here.
- MarianaIsso é perigoso, Lucas?Is that dangerous, Lucas?
- LucasNão se preocupe, Mariana.Do not worry, Mariana.
- MarianaPreciso de mais exames?Do I need more tests?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lymph node” translations and entries linfonodo, gânglio linfático, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (gânglio, linfático) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries linfonodo, linfático, CC BY-SA 4.0.
