Lymphatics Of The Head And Neck Flashcards
What is the function of the lymphatic system?
To produce white blood cells
To act as an overflow/sewerage system for leaked fluid out of vessel walls - tissue fluid
Drains plasma proteins
Which duct drains the pink area? Which the grey?
Grey = right lymphatic duct
Left = thoracic duct
What superficial lymph nodes of the head are there?
Facial nodes
Occipital nodes
Anterior auricular lymph nodes
Posterior auricular nodes
Superficial parotid nodes
What do the facial nodes drain?
Lateral eyelid, nose and cheek
What do the occipital nodes drain?
Scalp over occipital bone, muscles and skin superior of neck
What do the anterior and posterior auricular nodes drain?
Posterior = parietal and temporal scalp, rear of ear
Anterior = midface, anterior ear canal and pinnacle
What do the parotid nodes drain?
Frontal, parietal and temporal scalp
Parotid gland
Gingiva
Eyelids
Outer and middle ear
Oral cavity
What are the cervical superficial nodes?
Submandibular nodes
Submental nodes (only non bilateral)
External jugular nodes
Anterior jugular nodes
What do the submental nodes drain?
Chin, lower lip, cheek, gingiva around incisors, tip of tongue
What do the submandibular nodes drain?
Submandibular and sublingual glands
Tongue, palate, gingiva, teeth, floor of oral cavity
Lips nose chin
What may enlarged lymph nodes imply?
Current or past pathology, or area of immune activity
Systemic or local disease
They can tell us where the pathology may be due to which nodes are enlarged
Spread of cancer
Is there a difference between swollen tender nodes, and hard painless nodes?
Swollen and tender nodes = typically infection/inflammation
Hard and painless nodes = malignancy
