Lymphatics of the Head & Neck

Question 1

What are the 5 groups of SUPERFICIAL lymph nodes located in the head?

Answer 1

• Occipital
• Posterior auricular
• Anterior auricular
• Superficial parotid
• Facial lymph nodes

Question 2

What lymph nodes in the head/neck DONT have a bilateral pair?

Answer 2

The midline submental lymph nodes (they drain tissue in submental triangle bilaterally)

Question 3

what are the 4 groups of superficial cervical lymph nodes?

Answer 3

• Submental LN
• Submandibular LN
• External jugular (vein) (secondary nodes)
• Anterior jugular (vein) (secondary nodes)

Question 4

Where do all superficial lymph nodes drain to?

Answer 4

They all eventually drain into the DEEP CERVICAL LYMPH NODES

Question 5

What are the names of the deep cervical lymph nodes?

Answer 5

• Jugulodigastric LN
• jugulo-omohyoid LN
• Superior deep cervical LN
• Inferior deep cervical LN
• Accessory LN

Question 6

Where are the majority of the deep cervical lymph nodes located at?

Answer 6

Majority alongside the length of the internal jugular vein either side of the neck

Question 7

What are the clinical implications for spreading of pathologies via the lymphatic system?

Answer 7

• Enlarged LNs may indicate current or past pathologies
• Can point to an area of disease such as submandibular LNs swelling indicating disease in oral cavity, nasal cavity, face etc..