Deep cervical nodes

Local vessels and regional nodes · Levels I-VI

The chain along the internal jugular vein inside the carotid sheath receives every other node group of the head and neck, and its efferents form the jugular lymph trunk.

Traced from the start

  1. Head and neck
  2. Deep cervical nodes

Detail

Position
Along the internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath
Jugulodigastric
Tonsillar node, drains tonsil and tongue
Jugulo-omohyoid
Lingual node, drains the tongue
Surgical levels
I submental/submandibular to VI central compartment
Efferents
Jugular lymph trunk

When it goes wrong

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx or larynx

Level II-III nodal mass, often the presenting complaint

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

Early central (level VI) then lateral cervical nodal spread

Practise this structure

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