Lymphatic System

Lymphatic system

network that drains fluid, filters pathogens, and supports immunity

Lymph

Clear, watery fluid drained from tissue

Lymph Nodes

Bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and house immune cells

Afferent Vessels

Bring lymph INTO a node

Efferent Vessels

Carry lymph OUT of a node

Occipital nodes

Drain Scalp,

Occipital nodes location

posterior base of head

Posterior auricular node

drains behind ear

Anterior auricular node

Drains in front of the ear

Parotid node

Drains ear, lacrimal gland,scalp, and face

Parotid node location

Parotid gland

Facial nodes

Drain skin and mucous membranes

Facial nodes

Along the facial vein

Submental nodes

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

External jugular nodes

secondary drainage for auricular occipital, and parotid nodes

Anterior Jugular Nodes

Drain infrahyoid region of neck

Superior deep cervical nodes

Drain nasal cavity, palate, tongue base, TMJ, esophagus, trachea, and thyroid

Inferior Deep cervical nodes

Drain tongue and submental region

Accessory nodes

Drain scalp and neck

Accessory nodes location

along accessory nerve

Supraclavicular Node

Final drainage point

Supraclavicular Node location

near clavicle

Tonsils

Lymphatic tissue that protects agains inhaled and ingested pathogens

Palatine tonsils

Soft palate

Lingual tonsils

base of tongue

pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)

In nasopharynx, enlarged in children

Tubal tonsils

Located near auditory tube in nasopharynx

Normal lymph noes shoud …

NOT be easily palpable

Enlarged nodes

Indicates infection or disease

Indurated Nodes

Hard, indicate serious pathology

Tender Nodes

Painful, infection realated

Bilateral nodes

both sides

Submental node enlargement cased by

dental infection

Submandibular Nodes high risk for

oral cancers

Inferior Deep Cervical Enlargement

may indicate tongue carcinoma

Pterygoid/facial node infection

dental infection may present here