Lymphatics of the head (Lateral) (English)

Lymph nodes of the head are generally divided into three separate groups: the lingual lymph nodes, facial lymph nodes and a group of five lymph nodes which make up the pericervical lymphatic circle (visible in next image). The lingual lymph nodes are located in the intermuscular spaces of the floor of the mouth and function to drain lymph from the tongue. Their efferent vessels drain to either the superior deep lateral cervical nodes of the neck, submandibular and/or submental lymph nodes. The facial lymph nodes are located along the facial vein and consist of the buccinator, nasolabial, malar and mandibular lymph nodes. This group of lymph nodes drain the corresponding regions of the face into the submandibular lymph nodes.