LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE OF THE HEAD & NECK

What are primary lymphatic organs?

Bone marrow and thymus (site of lymphocyte maturation)

What are secondary lymphatic organs?

Lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, appendix, Peyer’s patches

What are B lymphocytes responsible for?

Producing antibodies (humoral immunity)

What are T lymphocytes responsible for?

Direct destruction of foreign substances (cellular immunity)

Where is the venous angle located?

At the junction of internal jugular and subclavian veins

How much lymph is absorbed daily?

1.8–2 liters

What is chyle?

Lipid-rich lymph from the small intestine

What are the three main functions of the lymphatic system?

Immune defense, interstitial fluid transport, lipid absorption

Where does lymph from the superficial regions of the head and neck drain first?

Into superficial epifascial lymph nodes

Where do superficial nodes ultimately drain?

: Deep cervical lymph nodes → Jugular trunk → Thoracic duct (left) / Right lymphatic duct (right)

What does the superficial parotid lymph node drain?

Forehead, upper eyelid, front of ear, external acoustic meatus, parotid gland

What does the retroauricular (mastoid) node drain?

Skin behind the ear, auricle, external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity

What does the occipital lymph node drain?

Occipital scalp region

What does the superficial anterior cervical node drain?

Skin of the anterior neck

What does the superficial lateral cervical node drain?

Auricle, parotid gland, skin of the lateral neck

What does the submental lymph node drain?

Lower incisors, tip of tongue, medial floor of mouth, central lower lip

What does the submandibular node drain?

Upper and lower teeth (except lower incisors), body of tongue, buccal mucosa, floor of mouth, palatine tonsils, cheeks

What drains the anterior nasal cavity and vestibule?

Submandibular lymph nodes

What drains the choana (posterior nasal cavity)?

Retropharyngeal lymph nodes

What drains the palate, tonsils, pharynx, and root of the tongue?

Retropharyngeal and deep cervical nodes

Which nodes drain the larynx?

Deep cervical, pretracheal, and paratracheal lymph nodes

What does the deep lateral cervical lymph node receive?

Root of tongue, lingual tonsils, soft palate, posterior nasal cavity, cervical esophagus

What is the drainage path of deep lateral cervical nodes?

Jugular trunk → Thoracic duct (left) or Right lymphatic duct (right) → Venous angle