Lymphatic System of the Head and Neck

The lymph nodes of the head and neck comprise a terminal group and a number of intermediary groups. The terminal group is associated with the carotid sheath and is also called the deep cervical group. All the lymphatic vessels of the head and neck drain into the cervical group, directly or indirectly. The efferents from the deep cervical lymph nodes comprise what is called the jugular trunk (Fig. 4.1).

Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes

These are the nodes located along the carotid sheath. They are divided into superior and inferior groups.

Upper Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes

These lymph nodes drain into the upper part of the internal jugular vein. Efferents from this group pass to the lower deep cervical group and extend to the jugular trunk. The jugulodigastric group of nodes is related to the drainage of the tongue.

Lower Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes

These lymph nodes are partly deep to the lower sternocleidomastoid and extend into the subclavian triangle. The jugulo-omohyoid lymph node of this group drains the tongue. The efferents from the lower deep cervical lymph nodes join the jugular trunk.

Lymphatic Drainage of the Superficial Tissues of the Head and Neck

There are several groups of lymph nodes concerned with the drainage of the superficial tissues of the head and neck. Most of the superficial tissues are drained by lymphatic vessels that drain into the neighboring groups of nodes and the efferents of which drain into the deep cervical lymph nodes.

The regional groups are as follows: (Fig. 4.1)

In the head