AH&N- Lymphatic Drainage Flashcards
What are the different types of lymphatic vessels and what are their functions?
Superficial: drain lymph from the scalp, face and neck into the superficial ring of lymph nodes at the junction of the neck and head.
Deep: arise from the deep cervical lymph nodes. They converge to form the left and right jugular lymphatic trunks:
Left jugular lymphatic trunk: joins the thoracic duct at the root of the neck.
Right jugular lymphatic trunk: empties into the right lymphatic duct at the root of the neck.
Name the superficial lymph nodes and their location.
Occipital: 1-3 nodes- back of the head at lateral border of trapezius muscle and collect from occipital area of scalp.
Mastoid/post-auricular: 2 posterior to ear on insertion of the SCM into the mastoid process. Collect lymph from the posterior neck, upper ear and back of external meatus.
Pre-auricular: 1-3 ️anterior to auricle of ear and collect lymph from the superficial areas of the face and temporal region.
Parotid: superficial to parotid gland, collect lymph from nose, nasal cavity, external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity and lateral borders of the orbit. There are also parotid lymph nodes deep to the parotid gland that drain the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx.
Submental: superficial to mylohyoid muscle , collect lymph from central lower lip, floor of mouth and apex of tongue.
Submandibular: 3-6, below mandible in submaxillary triangle, collect lymph from the cheeks, lateral aspects of nose, upper lip, lateral parts of lower lip, gums and anterior tongue. Also receive lymph fro the submental and facial lymph nodes.
Facial/maxillary/infraorbital/buccinator/supramandibular nodes: lymph from the mucous membranes of the nose, cheek, eyelids and conjunctiva.
Superficial cervical: divided into superficial,anterior and posterior. the anterior nodes lie close to the anterior jugular vein & collect lymph from the superficial surfaces of the anterior neck. The posterior lateral nodes lie close to the external jugular vein & collect lymph from superficial surfaces of the neck.
Name the deep lymphatic nodes.
Prelaryngeal, pretracheal, paratracheal, retropharyngeal, infrahypid, jugulodigastric (tonsilar), jugulo-omohyoid & supraclavicluar nodes.
What is virchows node and what is its clinical relevance?
Supraclavicluar node in left supraclavicluar fossa (immediately superior to the clavicle). Receives lymph drainage from the abdominal cavity.
Trousers sign- enlarged virchows node indicates presence of cancer in the abdomen, specifically gastric cancer, spread through lymph vessels.
What is waldeyers ring?
Collection of lymphatic tissue surrounding the superior pharynx, responds to pathogens that may be ingested or inhaled. Tonsils that make up ring:
Lingual tonsil: posterior base of tongue, antero-inferior part of ring.
Palatine tonsils: on each side between palatoglossal & glossopharyngeal arches. These are the common tonsils that can be seen within the oral cavity, form lateral part of ring.
Tubal tonsils: where each dusts horn tube opens into nasopharynx & form lateral part of ring.
Pharyngeal tonsil/ nasopharyngeal/ adenoid: located in the roof of the nasopharynx behind the uvula & forms the postero-superior part of ring.
What is tonsilitis?
Inflamed palatine tonsils due to a viral or bacterial infection.
Appear red and enlarged & enlarged jugulodigastric lymph nodes.
Chronic infection: removal, tonsillectomy. May be bleeding from external palatine vein & from tonsilar branch of facial artery. If spreads to peritonsillar tissue> abscess> deviation of uvula (quinsy)> medical emergency> potential obstruction of pharynx.
Treat quinsy with draining of abscess and antibiotics.
What does the lymphatic system do?
Drains tissue fluid, plasma proteins and other cellular debris back into the blood stream and is also involved in immune response. Once inside the lymphatic vessels it is called lymph. Lymph is subsequently filtered by lymph nodes and directed into the venous system.
