Lymphatics of the head and neck (Anterior) (Latin)

Located along the v. jugularis anterior are the nll. cervicales anteriores superficiales, which drain to the nll. cervicales laterales profundi or directly to the nll. supraclaviculares via vasa efferentes. The nll. cervicales anteriores profundi are subdivided into the nll. prelaryngei, nll. thyroidei, nll. paratracheales and nll. pretracheales depending on their location. These nodes usually drain directly to the nll. cervicales laterales profundi but in some cases can also drain to the nll. cervicales anteriores superficiales. The nll. cervicales laterales superficiales are located along the length of the v. jugularis externa and as a result are also known as the nll. lymphatici jugulares exteriores. These nodi usually drain to the nll. supraclaviculares at the root of the neck. The nll. cervicales laterales profundi are located along the length of the v. jugularis interna and are therefore also known as the nll. lymphatici jugulares interni. They can be divided into a superior and inferior group. The nll. cervicales laterales profundi superiores are located above the venter superior musculi omohyoidei. One of the largest nodi in this region is known as the nl. jugulodigastricus. The nll. cervicales laterales profundi inferiores are located along the length of the v. jugularis interna below the venter superior musculi omohyoidei. The large nl. juguloomohyoideus can be found along the middle portion of the v. jugularis interna. Vasa efferentes from the nll. cervicales laterales profundi join to form the trunci lymphatici jugulares which drain into the ductus lymphaticus dexter/thoracicus or directly into the v. subclavia.