Superficial anterior cervical nodes

At a glance

English

Superficial anterior cervical nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi cervicales anteriores superficiales

System

Lymphatic

Region

Neck

Side

Single, on the midline

About the superficial anterior cervical nodes

The superficial anterior cervical nodes are small, inconstant nodes in the front of the neck. They lie in the subcutaneous tissue along the anterior jugular vein, which runs down near the midline from below the chin towards the top of the sternum. They are superficial to the strap muscles and the investing layer of deep cervical fascia, and are separate from the deep anterior cervical nodes that lie in front of the larynx, thyroid gland and trachea.

Their territory is the skin and superficial tissues of the front of the neck below the hyoid bone, the area drained by the anterior jugular vein.

Lymph leaves them through vessels that turn backwards to reach the deep cervical chain along the internal jugular vein, chiefly its lower part. From there it goes to the jugular lymph trunk.

In health these nodes are too small to be felt. They may become palpable with infection of the skin of the front of the neck, and a skin cancer of this area may spread first to them. A lump in the front of the neck is more often thyroid or a thyroglossal cyst than one of these nodes, but they should be kept in mind when it is examined.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent vessels from the skin and superficial tissues of the front of the neck below the hyoid bone.

Drains into

Efferent vessels pass to the deep lateral cervical nodes along the internal jugular vein, mainly the inferior group.

Drains

Filters lymph from the superficial front of the neck. May enlarge with skin infection or skin cancer of this area.