Lymph node classification

Level IA

Submental nodes

Between medial margins of the anterior bellies of digastric muscle

IB

Submandiublar nodes

Lateral to IA and anterior to back of submandibular gland

Level II

Upper internal jugular nodes

upper third of internal jugular vein

extend from skull base to level of hyoid bone, posterior submandibular gland and bounded posteriorly by Sternocleidomastoid muscle

IIA

lies surrounding itnernal jugular vein

IIB

lies posterior to internal jugular vein, separated by line of fat

Level III

Midjugular node

extend from carotid bifurcation/ hyoid bone to cricoid cartilage, anterior to SCM

Level IV (4)

low jugular nodes

extend from bottom of cricoid to level of clavicle, lies lateral to carotid artieries

Level V (5)

Posterior triangle nodes

bordered anteriorly by SCM posteriorly by trapezius and inferiorly by clavicle

VA

upper level of V, extedn from skull base to cricoid

VB

lower v level, extends from bottom of cricoid to clavicle

Level VI

Upper visceral nodes

from hyoid bone to top of manubrium, lies between carotid arteries

Level VII

superior mediastinal nodes

from top of manubrium to brachiocephalic vein, between carotid arteries

supraclavicular nodes

nodes superior to clavicle and lateral to carotid artery

retropharyngeal nodes

behind pharynx

extend medial to internal carotid artery from base of skull inferiorly to the hyoid bone