Lateral superior jugular node

At a glance

English

Lateral superior jugular node

Latin (TA2)

Nodus jugularis superior lateralis

System

Lymphatic

Region

Neck

Side

Paired, left and right

About the lateral superior jugular node

The lateral superior jugular node is a member of the superior deep lateral cervical group, the upper half of the chain of nodes that follows the internal jugular vein down the neck. It lies on the lateral side of the vein, in the upper part of its course, covered by sternocleidomastoid. Other members of the upper group include a node in front of the vein and the jugulodigastric node, placed where the posterior belly of digastric crosses the vein below the angle of the jaw.

In this part of the neck the accessory nerve runs backwards across or near the internal jugular vein on its way to sternocleidomastoid, so nodes on the lateral side of the vein lie close to that nerve.

The upper deep nodes gather lymph directly from deep structures of the head and neck and indirectly from the ring of superficial nodes around the head, including the occipital, mastoid and parotid nodes, and from the superficial lateral cervical nodes along the external jugular vein. Their outflow passes down the chain to the inferior deep lateral cervical nodes, and then to the jugular lymph trunk.

Cancers of the mouth, pharynx and larynx often spread first to the upper deep chain, so these nodes are assessed in every head and neck examination and removed in neck dissection. When a node on the outer side of the vein is removed, the accessory nerve must be identified and spared to keep the shoulder working.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent vessels from the superficial nodes of the head (occipital, mastoid, parotid), the superficial lateral cervical nodes, and deep structures of the upper neck.

Drains into

Efferent vessels pass down the deep chain to the inferior deep lateral cervical nodes and the jugular lymph trunk.

Drains

Filters lymph from the head and upper neck on its way down the deep chain. A site of spread for cancers of the mouth, pharynx and larynx; it lies near the accessory nerve, which must be spared at surgery.