Deep cervical lymph nodes run along the internal jugular vein, filtering and draining lymph from the head and neck.
The deep cervical lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes located along the internal jugular vein, deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. They form the main drainage pathway for lymph from the head and neck and are divided into superior and inferior groups. These nodes filter lymph from a wide range of areas including the scalp, face, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and thyroid gland.
The deep cervical lymph nodes lie deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and run parallel to the internal jugular vein, within the carotid sheath. They extend from the base of the skull to the root of the neck. The superior group lies above the intermediate tendon of the omohyoid muscle, while the inferior group lies below it.
The deep cervical lymph nodes are traditionally divided into two main groups:
The deep cervical lymph nodes receive afferent lymphatic drainage from:
Efferent vessels from the deep cervical lymph nodes form the:
The deep cervical lymph nodes filter lymphatic fluid from critical areas of the head and neck, capturing pathogens, cancer cells, and debris. They play a central role in immune surveillance and response in this region.