Lymphatics of the Head and Neck

Question 1

What are the three main functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

1) It picks up protein molecules from tissue fluid which are too large to pass through capillaries and transports them to the bloodstream
2) It returns excess tissue fluid to the bloodstream
3) It produces lymphocytes

Question 2

Define lymph nodes.

Answer 2

Swellings found along the lymphatic system. They produce lymphocytes and act as a filter for the lymph, preventing foreign bodies from entering the bloodstream.

Question 3

Define afferent lymph vessels.

Answer 3

Drain lymph to a node

Question 4

Define efferent lymph vessels.

Answer 4

Drain lymph from a node

Question 5

How is lymph moved through the system?

Answer 5

By skeletal muscle contraction

• Exercise clears toxins from tissues
• Health benefits from massage

Question 6

What are the superficial lymph nodes of the head? (3)

Answer 6

1) Occipital
2) Mastoid
3) Parotid

Question 7

What are the superficial nodes of the neck? (4)

Answer 7

1) Submandibular
2) Submental
3) Anterior Cervical
4) Superficial Cervical

Question 8

Where are the deep cervical nodes located and which vein do they follow?

Answer 8

Within the carotid sheath and follow the course of the internal jugular vein

Question 9

What are the two largest deep cervical nodes?

Answer 9

1) Jugulodigastric Node

2) Jugulo-omohyoid Node

Question 10

What does the jugulodigastric node drain and where is it found?

Answer 10

Drains the tongue and palatine tonsils; found near the posterior belly of the digastric muscle

Question 11

What does the juglo-omohyoid node drain and where is it found?

Answer 11

Drains the tongue; found near the intermediate tendon of the omohyoid

Question 12

Which deep cervical lymph node is enlarged in tonsilitis?

Answer 12

Juglodigastric Node

Question 13

T or F: ALL lymphatics of the head and neck drain either directly or indirectly into the deep cervical nodes.

Answer 13

True (page 57)

Question 14

What do the efferents of the deep cervical nodes form?

Answer 14

Right jugular trunk and left jugular trunk

Question 15

What does the right jugular trunk drain?

Answer 15

Drains into the junction between the right internal jugular and right subclavian veins

Question 16

What does the left jugular trunk drain?

Answer 16

Drains into the thoracic duct

Question 17

What is the importance of the lymphatic system?

Answer 17

Very important for tracking the spread of cancer cells

Question 18

What do afferents of the submental nodes drain?

Answer 18

The central portions of the lower lip, the floor of the mouth, and the tip of the tongue

Question 19

What do afferents of the submandibular nodes drain?

Answer 19

The cheek, the side of the nose, the upper lip, the lateral part of the lower lip, the gums, and the margin of the tongue

Question 20

T or F. Cancer of the central part of the lip will follow the same path as the lateral part of the lip.

Answer 20

False; Cancer of the central part of the lip will follow a different path than cancer of the lateral part of the lip (page 58)

Question 21

Define lymphogenous metastasis.

Answer 21

The spread of cancer via the lymphatic system

Question 22

Explain signal (sentinel) node.

Answer 22

1) An enlarged supraclavicular node, usually on the left side
2) Often the first indication of a visceral tumor of the thorax of abdomen

Question 23

Explain lymphoma.

Answer 23

1) A primary tumor of the lymph nodes.
2) Hodgkin’s disease- type of lymphoma
3) Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma- another type with poor prognosis

Question 24

What do you check for when diagnosing an enlarged lymph node?

Answer 24

1) tender or painful- indicated infection

2) hard and painless- indicates cyst development or cancer

Question 25

What is filariasis?

Answer 25

A parasitic infection of the lymphatic system (worms)