What should lymph nodes normally be like in a healthy individual?

In a healthy individual, lymph nodes should be non-visible and non-palpable. This means that they cannot be seen on the surface of the skin and are not felt during a physical examination. Normal lymph nodes are typically small and do not present any signs of inflammation or infection, which would make them noticeable or palpable. The presence of swollen or tender lymph nodes usually indicates some form of pathology, such as an infection or other medical condition.

The other choices describe characteristics that would not be appropriate for healthy lymph nodes. For instance, visible or palpable lymph nodes may suggest an underlying issue, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory processes. Firmness and tenderness are also indicators of potential problems, as healthy lymph nodes should feel soft and mobile without any pain upon palpation. Additionally, lymph nodes should not be multiple in number when considering what is typical, as clusters of enlarged nodes usually indicate some underlying pathology rather than normal anatomical variation.