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

Located along the anterior jugular vein are the superficial anterior cervical lymph nodes, which drain to the deep lateral cervical lymph nodes or directly to the supraclavicular lymph nodes via efferent vessels. The deep anterior cervical lymph nodes are subdivided into the prelaryngeal, thyroid, paratracheal and pretracheal lymph nodes depending on their location. These nodes usually drain directly to the deep lateral cervical lymph nodes but in some cases can also drain to the superficial anterior cervical lymph nodes. The superficial lateral cervical lymph nodes are located along the length of the external jugular vein and as a result are also known as the external jugular nodes. These nodes usually drain to the supraclavicular lymph nodes at the root of the neck. The deep lateral cervical lymph nodes are located along the length of the internal jugular vein and are therefore also known as the internal jugular nodes. They can be divided into a superior and inferior group. The superior deep lateral cervical lymph nodes are located above the superior belly of the omohyoid muscle. One of the largest nodes in this region is known as the jugulodigastric lymph node. The inferior deep lateral cervical nodes are located along the length of the internal jugular vein below the superior belly of the omohyoid muscle. The large juguloomohyoid lymph node can be found along the middle portion of the internal jugular vein. Efferent vessels from the deep lateral cervical lymph nodes join to form the jugular trunks which drain into the right lymphatic and thoracic ducts, or directly into the subclavian vein.