Mandibular node

At a glance

English

Mandibular node

Latin (TA2)

Nodus mandibularis

System

Lymphatic

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the mandibular node

The mandibular node is the lowest member of the facial group of lymph nodes. It lies on the outer face of the body of the mandible, at the front edge of the masseter muscle, at the point where the facial artery and vein cross the lower border of the jaw to enter the face. It is small and may be absent, or there may be two.

The node sits in the subcutaneous tissue under the skin and platysma, against the bone and the facial vessels. Above it, the buccinator and nasolabial nodes continue the facial chain up towards the nose. Just below the jaw, across the lower border of the mandible, lie the submandibular nodes, which are close by and receive its outflow.

Afferent vessels bring lymph from the skin of the lower cheek and chin region, from the lips and from the nearby gums. Lymph leaving the node runs a short distance down over the edge of the jaw into the submandibular nodes, and on from there to the superior deep cervical nodes.

Because the node lies directly on bone, an enlarged node can be felt as a firm, sometimes tender pea-sized lump on the jaw in front of the masseter, easily mistaken for a bony swelling. It may enlarge with dental abscesses, infected skin of the lower face, or lip lesions. Its position by the facial artery also means that the pulse felt at the front of the masseter is a handy guide to where to search for it.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent vessels from the skin of the lower cheek, the lips and the adjacent gums.

Drains into

Efferent vessels cross the lower border of the mandible to the submandibular nodes, then reach the superior deep cervical nodes.

Drains

Filters lymph from the lower face. Enlargement points to dental, lip or facial skin infection, or to early spread of a skin or lip cancer.