View as PDF
  1. Lymphatic trunks
    1. Right jugular trunk
      function - drains superficial and deep nodes into the right lymphatic duct
    2. Left jugular trunk
      function - drains superficial and deep nodes into the thoracic duct
  2. Lymph nodes
    1. Superficial nodes of the head
      1. Occipital nodes
        function - drains occipital scalp
      2. Mastoid (Retro-auricular) nodes
        function - drains ear and adjacent scalp
      3. Parotid nodes (G. para, beside + ous, ear)
        function - drains ear, face, nose and scalp
      4. Buccal (facial) nodes (L. cheek)
        function - drains nose and adjacent face
    2. Superficial nodes of the neck
      1. Retropharyngeal nodes
        function - drains nasopharynx and atlanto-occipital & atlantoaxial joints
      2. Submandibular nodes
        function - drains face, tongue, mouth, nose and palate
      3. Submental nodes
        function - drains central lower lip
      4. Anterior cervical nodes (along larynx and trachea)
        function - drains anterior neck
      5. Lateral cervical nodes (along accessory nerve)
        function - drains lateral neck
    3. Deep cervical nodes
      1. Superior nodes
        function - drains larynx, pharynx, posterior palate, posterior tongue, and occipital, retro-auricular, parotid, buccal, retropharyngeal & submandibular nodes
      2. Inferior nodes
        function - drains the trachea, thyroid, esophagus, and submental, anterior neck, lateral neck & superior deep cervical nodes