Session 1 - Cervical Lymph Nodes and Neck Lumps Flashcards
Main actions of the lymphatic system.
Remove excess fluid from interstitial space
Return small proteins including pathogens and fluid that leaked from capillaries.
Immune defence and immune surveillance.
Source of lymphocytes.
Most common regions of the body where collections of lymph nodes may be palpable.
Neck (cervical)
Armpit (axillary)
Groin (femoral)
Most common cause of enlarged lymph node?
Other common cause?
Lymphadenopathy (remember this is just a manifestation of an underlying cause)
Lymphoedema.
Common causes of lymphadenopathy.
Infection (most common)
Malignancy
Difference in representation between lymphadenopathy due to infection and malignancy.
Infection: A tender and mobile lump
Malignancy: Hard and non-tender + irregular lump. It can also be rubbery, mobile and fast-growing.
What are regional and terminal lymph nodes?
Regional are superficial lymph nodes and terminal lymph nodes are deep nodes.
Which lymph nodes drain to which?
Regional/superficial drain to deep/terminal.
Where would accumulation of fluid in superficial fascia of the neck drain?
First to superficial lymph nodes and then to deep lymph nodes.
Where would accumulation of fluid or pathology in infrahyoids, thyroid gland, larynx/trachea, pharynx/oesophagus drain to?
Immediately to deep node since it is already deep of superficial fascia.
Where would you find superficial lymph nodes?
In superficial fascia.
Where would you find deep lymph nodes?
In the carotid sheath.
Name the superficial lymph nodes.
Submental LNS Submandibular LNS Preaurical LNS Postaurical LNS Occipital LNS Superficial cervical Posterior cervical Anterior cervical
How do superficial lymph nodes differ from deep lymph nodes upon examination?
A swelling of a superficial lymph node will be more noticeable than a swelling of a deep lymph node.
Where can you find the deep lymph nodes?
Deep to sternocleidomastoid muscle and closely related to IJV and carotid sheath.
Most important deep lymph nodes of the neck.
Jugulo-digastric
Jugulo-omohyoid
Supraclavicular lymph nodes
Where would a cold sore on the inside of your bottom lip drain to? (Which lymph node might be enlarged?)
Submental
A patient comes in with conjunctivitis. Which lymph nodes might be enlarged?
Preaurical
Patient comes in with tonsillitis. Which lymph nodes might be enlarged?
Jugulo-digastric
Patient comes in with tongue malignancy. Which lymph nodes might be enlarged?
Jugulo-digastric or jugulo-omohyoid
What is Waldeyer’s ring?
An annular collection (ring collection) of lymphoid tissue that surrounds the upper aerodigestive tract.
Which lymphoid tissues does the Waldeyer’s ring consist of?
Pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids) Tubal tonsil Palatine tonsil (source of tonsillitis) Lingual tonsils (found at the base of the tongue)
What history is important in dx diagnosis of neck lumps?
Age
Duration
Progression
Associated symptoms and signs
Why is age important?
Infective/inflamed neck lumps are most common in children. (More retropharyngeal space and less likely to be malignancy)
In elderly people there is an increasing probability that a neck lump will be due to malignancy.
Upon examination, what is important in dx diagnosis of neck lumps?
Location
Movement upon swallowing or sticking out tongue
Palpation (Does it feel superficial or deep, is it hard/soft/smooth or irregular, is it fixed, tender, or and overlying skin changes?)