Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors related to cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC),and provide a basis for its surgical treatment.Methods A total of 220 patients with pap-illary thyroid cancer treated by surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University from October 2018 to Decem-ber 2022 were selected as the study objects,and their clinicopathological characteristics and risk factors related to cervical lymph node metastasis were analyzed.Results Among 220 patients,164(74.55%)had lymph node metastasis in the central and/or lateral cervical regions.Univariate analysis showed that gender,age,tumor diameter,invasion of the capsule,invasive growth,multifocal,tumor location in the upper thyroid gland,and cervical lymph node metastasis were correlated(P<0.05).The results of logistic multivariate analysis showed that male,age(<45 years old),tumor diameter(>1 cm),and invasive tumor growth were independent risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC(P<0.05).Conclusion For male pa-tients with PTC,who are less than 45 years old,have a tumor diameter greater than 1 cm,and have infiltrative growth,the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis is higher,and active surgical intervention should be taken in clinical practice.