Superficial lateral cervical nodes

At a glance

English

Superficial lateral cervical nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi cervicales laterales superficiales

System

Lymphatic

Region

Neck

Side

Paired, left and right

About the superficial lateral cervical nodes

The superficial lateral cervical nodes lie on the side of the neck in the subcutaneous tissue, beneath platysma, along the external jugular vein. That vein forms just below the angle of the jaw and runs down and back across the outer surface of sternocleidomastoid, to pierce the deep fascia above the clavicle. The nodes follow its upper part over the muscle, superficial to the investing layer of deep cervical fascia.

They drain the skin and superficial tissues over the angle of the jaw and the lower part of the parotid region, the lobule of the ear, and the side of the neck. They also receive some of the outflow of the parotid and mastoid nodes higher up.

Their efferent vessels curve around the border of sternocleidomastoid, or pass through it, to reach the deep lateral cervical nodes along the internal jugular vein, in both the upper and lower groups.

These nodes are easy to feel when enlarged, as they lie just under the skin over the muscle. They often swell with infections of the ear lobe, the skin of the face near the jaw and the scalp, and they may be involved by lymphoma or by spread from a skin cancer of the face or ear. Because the external jugular vein runs through the same plane, it is kept in view when such nodes are removed.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent vessels from the skin over the angle of the jaw and lower parotid region, the ear lobule and the side of the neck, and from the parotid and mastoid nodes.

Drains into

Efferent vessels pass around or through sternocleidomastoid to the superior and inferior deep lateral cervical nodes.

Drains

Filters superficial lymph from the lower face, ear lobule and side of the neck. Enlarges with skin and ear infections, lymphoma and spread from skin cancers of the face or ear.