What do tiny pea-sized lumps in the neck of a young girl with a sore throat most likely represent?

Tiny pea-sized lumps in the neck, especially in the context of a young girl with a sore throat, are most likely swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and function as filters for harmful substances, including infections. When the body faces an infection, such as a sore throat, lymph nodes can become enlarged as they produce more immune cells to fight off the invading pathogens. This swelling is a response to the increased activity in the immune system.

Swollen lymph nodes, often described as tender or painful lumps in the neck, indicate that the body is responding to the infection. In contrast, the salivary glands are typically not associated with soreness or lumps in response to throat infections. The thyroid gland has a different location and function, primarily related to metabolic regulation rather than responding to infections. Muscle tissue would not appear as lumps in the neck during an infection like a sore throat. Therefore, swollen lymph nodes are the most relevant and accurate answer to this situation.