Lymphatic drainage of the head and neck

INTRODUCTION

THE lymphatic tissue of the head and neck forms one third of the lymphatic tissue of the body

The lymphatic tissue of the head and neck is divided into the adenoid tissue and lymph nodes

1-the adenoid tissue

it is aggregation of lymphoid tissue which guards the entrance of the alimentary and respiratory system tracts

so it forms a ring called the lymphatic ring or circle called WALDEYER which includes:

1-superiorly:the nasopharyngeal tonsil at the roof and the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.

2-inferiorly: the lingual tonsil on the dorsum of the posterior third of the tongue

3-laterally: the palatine tonsils

drainage : efferent lymphatics from the Waldeyer ring drain into the upper deep cervical lymph nodes.

2-lymph nodes of the head and neck

(a)        superficial circular group

(b)       deep circular group

(c)        vertical chain inbetween the 2 circular group

these groups drain the superficial and the deep structures of the head and neck

the superficial and the deep circular groups drain into the vertical group which is called the deep cervical lymph nodes lying alongside the inf. Vena cava deep to the sternomastoid muscle.

(a)       the superficial circular lymph nodes of the head

Lymph nodes	Site	Area drained	Efferent lymphatics pass to
Occipital L.N	Occipital artery	1-post. Part of the scalp 2-the back of the neck	Upper deep cervical L.N
Post. Auricular L.N	Post.auricular vessels behind the auricle	1-post. Part of the scalp 2-auricle 3-external auditory meatus	Upper deep cervical L.N
Parotid L.N	Superficial to the parotid gland	1-temporal region 2-auricle 3-upper 1/2 of the face & eye lids	Upper deep and superficial cervical L.N
Buccal L.N	Facial vessels On the buccinator and the mandible	1-the cheeks 2-the lips	Submandibular L.N