Lymphatics of the neck (Lateral) (English)

At the junction between the head and neck are five groups of lymph nodes which form the pericervical lymphatic circle. These are the occipital, mastoid, superficial and deep parotid, submandibular and submental lymph nodes. These nodes receive lymph from regions of the nose, cheeks, ear, scalp and chin and drain to either the superficial or deep lymph nodes of the neck.Lymphatics of the neck can generally be divided into superficial and deep anterior lymph nodes, and superficial and deep lateral lymph nodes. From this lateral perspective, the proximal portions of the superficial and deep lateral cervical lymph nodes can be observed. The superficial lateral cervical lymph nodes receive lymphatic drainage from the pericervical lymphatic circle and extend along the external jugular vein to empty into the supraclavicular lymph nodes at the root of the neck. The deep lateral cervical lymph nodes are located along the course of the internal jugular vein. These are further divided into superior and inferior groups by the superior belly of the omohyoid muscle. The largest node of the superior deep lateral cervical nodes is the jugulodigastric node, while the largest node of the inferior group of deep lateral cervical nodes is the juguloomohyoid node. This group of lateral nodes receive the majority of lymph from the head and neck region and drain to the jugular trunk at the base of the neck.