Lymphatics of Head and Neck

Question 1

what is the function of the lymphatic system

Answer 1

drainage of surplus tissue, fluid and plasma proteins

Question 2

what happens to the lymphatic vessels if there is an infection

Answer 2

they swell

Question 3

where is the thoracic duct

Answer 3

left venous angle

Question 4

what drains into the thoracic duct

Answer 4

all of body (not right quadrant)

Question 5

where does the right quadrant of the body drain to

Answer 5

right lymphatic duct

Question 6

what are the 5 groups of lymph nodes in the head

Answer 6

occipital, posterior auricular, anterior auricular, superficial parotid, facial

Question 7

what do the posterior and anterior auricular and superficial parotid drain

Answer 7

external ear, lacrimal glands, adjacent regions of scalp and face

Question 8

what does the occipital nodes drain

Answer 8

the scalp of that region

Question 9

where are the facial nodes located

Answer 9

along facial vein

Question 10

what are the 4 groups of the facial nodes

Answer 10

nasolabial, buccal, mandibular, infraorbital

Question 11

what is the pattern of drainage in the facial nodes

Answer 11

from superior to inferior and then to deep cervical nodes

Question 12

what nodes appear bigger when there is an infection in the teeth

Answer 12

facial (submandibular)

Question 13

what are the deep parotid lymph nodes

Answer 13

deep parotid and retropharyngeal

Question 14

what are the 4 groups of lymph nodes within the neck

Answer 14

submental, submandibular, external jugular, interior jugular

Question 15

what do the submental nodes drain

Answer 15

lower lip, chin, floor of mouth, apex of tongue and mandibular incisors

Question 16

where do the submental nodes drain to

Answer 16

deep cervical nodes

Question 17

what is swelling in the submental nodes due to

Answer 17

epstein barr/dental infections/cancer spread

Question 18

where are the submandibular lymph nodes

Answer 18

in submandibular triangle

Question 19

what do submandibular lymph nodes drain

Answer 19

cheek, upper lip, body of tongue, anterior hard palate and most of teeth

Question 20

what is enlargement in the submandibular glands due to

Answer 20

head and neck infections from sinuses, ears, eyes, scalp and pharynx

Question 21

what does the submandibular glands transfer infection from

Answer 21

oral cavity, nasal cavity, submandibular salivary glands

Question 22

what are external jugular lymph nodes

Answer 22

secondary lymph nodes

Question 23

what do the external jugular lymph nodes drain

Answer 23

the back of the head

Question 24

what determines whether the deep cervical lymph nodes are superior or inferior

Answer 24

based on where the omohyoid crosses the IJV

Question 25

what do the superior deep cervical nodes drain

Answer 25

posterior nasal cavity, posterior hard palate, soft palate, base of tongue, maxillary 3rd molars, TMJ, oesophagus, trachea, thyroid gland

Question 26

name a prominent superior deep cervical node, where is it, what does it drain

Answer 26

jugulodigastric (tonsillar node)
posterior to angle of mandible
drains palatine tonsils

Question 27

what do the inferior deep cervical nodes drain

Answer 27

posterior scalp, neck, superior pectoral, arm

Question 28

what nodes are of greater risk of breast cancer

Answer 28

inferior deep cervical nodes

Question 29

name a prominent inferior deep cervical node and what does it drain

Answer 29

jugulo-omohyoid
drains tongue, submental triangle

Question 30

where are the supraclavicular nodes

Answer 30

near sternoclavicular joint and thoracic duct

Question 31

what do nodes feel like in malignancy

Answer 31

hard but painless

Question 32

if there is a swelling in the submandibular lymph nodes, where could the disease be

Answer 32

oral cavity, face, nasal cavity, maxillary sinus

Question 33

if there is a swelling in the supraclavicular lymph nodes, where could the disease be

Answer 33

thorax and abdomen

Question 34

how are the lymph nodes clinically relevant

Answer 34

lymphogenous spread of cancer
points to systemic/local disease