Lymphatics of the Head and Neck Flashcards
What are the three main functions of the lymphatic system?
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
Define lymph nodes.
Swellings found along the lymphatic system. They produce lymphocytes and act as a filter for the lymph, preventing foreign bodies from entering the bloodstream.
Define afferent lymph vessels.
Drain lymph to a node
Define efferent lymph vessels.
Drain lymph from a node
How is lymph moved through the system?
By skeletal muscle contraction
- Exercise clears toxins from tissues
- Health benefits from massage
What are the superficial lymph nodes of the head? (3)
1) Occipital
2) Mastoid
3) Parotid
What are the superficial nodes of the neck? (4)
1) Submandibular
2) Submental
3) Anterior Cervical
4) Superficial Cervical
Where are the deep cervical nodes located and which vein do they follow?
Within the carotid sheath and follow the course of the internal jugular vein
What are the two largest deep cervical nodes?
1) Jugulodigastric Node
2) Jugulo-omohyoid Node
What does the jugulodigastric node drain and where is it found?
Drains the tongue and palatine tonsils; found near the posterior belly of the digastric muscle
What does the juglo-omohyoid node drain and where is it found?
Drains the tongue; found near the intermediate tendon of the omohyoid
Which deep cervical lymph node is enlarged in tonsilitis?
Juglodigastric Node
T or F: ALL lymphatics of the head and neck drain either directly or indirectly into the deep cervical nodes.
True (page 57)
What do the efferents of the deep cervical nodes form?
Right jugular trunk and left jugular trunk
What does the right jugular trunk drain?
Drains into the junction between the right internal jugular and right subclavian veins
What does the left jugular trunk drain?
Drains into the thoracic duct
What is the importance of the lymphatic system?
Very important for tracking the spread of cancer cells
What do afferents of the submental nodes drain?
The central portions of the lower lip, the floor of the mouth, and the tip of the tongue
What do afferents of the submandibular nodes drain?
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
T or F. Cancer of the central part of the lip will follow the same path as the lateral part of the lip.
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)
Define lymphogenous metastasis.
The spread of cancer via the lymphatic system
Explain signal (sentinel) node.
1) An enlarged supraclavicular node, usually on the left side
2) Often the first indication of a visceral tumor of the thorax of abdomen
Explain lymphoma.
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
What do you check for when diagnosing an enlarged lymph node?
1) tender or painful- indicated infection
2) hard and painless- indicates cyst development or cancer
What is filariasis?
A parasitic infection of the lymphatic system (worms)
