Lymph Nodes of the Head and Neck

Question 1

How are the lymph nodes of head and neck broadly divided?

Answer 1

Superficial lymph nodes

Deep lymph nodes

Question 2

Briefly describe the superficial and deep lymph nodes of the head and neck

Answer 2

They are separated by the deep fascia of the neck

Lymph drains from superficial nodes to deep nodes that in turn drain into trunks and eventually into the right lymphatic duct or thoracic duct

Question 3

What parts of the body do the right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct drain?

Answer 3

Right lymphatic duct drains the right limb, the right half of the head and the upper right side of the torso

The thoracic duct drains the rest

Question 4

How are superficial lymph nodes of the head and neck further divided?
And describe them briefly

Answer 4

They are arranged as two further assemblies

An outer circle
- Form a (regional) collar around the lower margins of
the head
- They are known as the peri-cervical collar nodes
- They constitute a circular formation from the chin to
the occiput bilaterally

An inner circle

• Lying within the outer circle
• Surrounding:
  
  • Upper airway passages
  • Openings of the alimentary passage
• Sometimes known as the innermost circle

The two circles are not parallel to each other.

Question 5

Name the twelve superficial lymph nodes

Answer 5

Occipital
Retroauricular (Mastoid)
Preauricular
Parotid
Buccal
Submandibular
Submental
Anterior cervical
Superficial cervical
Retropharyngeal
Laryngeal (prelaryngeal)
Tracheal (paratracheal)

Question 6

Describe the occipital nodes

Answer 6

Location: occipital bone on the back of the skull

Structure Drained: back of the scalp

Question 7

Describe the retroauricular (Mastoid) nodes

Answer 7

Location: Behind the ear, over the mastoid process of the skull
Structure Drained: scalp over ear

Question 8

Describe the parotid nodes.

Answer 8

Location: on or within the substance of the parotid salivary gland
Structure Drained: scalp over the parotid gland, auricle and external auditory meatus

Question 9

Describe the Buccal (facial) nodes

Answer 9

Location: cheek over the buccinator muscle

Structure Drained: drain the lymph that ultimately passes into the submandibular nodes

Question 10

Describe the submandibular nodes.

Answer 10

Location: lie superficial to the submandibular gland just below the lower margin of the jaw
Structure Drained: front of the scalp, the nose, the cheek, the upper lip, lower lip (except central part), frontal, maxillary, ethmoidal air sinuses, upper and lower teeth (except incisors), anterior 2/3 of the tongue, floor of the mouth and vestibule and gums.

Question 11

Describe the submental nodes.

Answer 11

Location: submental triangle of the chin
Structure Drained: tip of the tongue, floor of the anterior part of the mouth, incisors, central part of the lower lip and skin over the chin.

Question 12

Describe the anterior cervical nodes

Answer 12

Location: lie along the course of the anterior jugular vein in the front of the neck
Structure Drained: skin and superficial tissues of the front of the neck

Question 13

Describe the superficial cervical nodes.

Answer 13

Location: lie along the course of the external jugular vein

Structure Drained: skin over the angle of the jaw, skin over the lower part of the parotid gland and lobe of the ear

Question 14

Describe the retropharyngeal nodes.

Answer 14

Location: lie behind the pharynx in front of the vertebral column
Structure Drained: nasopharynx, Eustachian tube and vertebral column

Question 15

Describe the laryngeal nodes.

Answer 15

Location: in front of the larynx

Structure Drained: larynx.