The lymph nodes in your neck are part of a complex network of lymphatic tissue that drains lymph fluid from the head and neck region. They are located in several key areas:
- Superficial lymph nodes lie near the surface of the neck, close to veins such as the anterior jugular vein and external jugular vein. These include the superficial anterior cervical lymph nodes near the anterior jugular vein and superficial lateral cervical lymph nodes
- Deep cervical lymph nodes form a vertical chain along the internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath. They are divided into superior and inferior groups and include specific nodes such as prelaryngeal, pretracheal, paratracheal, retropharyngeal, jugulodigastric, jugulo-omohyoid, and supraclavicular nodes. These deep nodes receive lymph from the superficial nodes and other head and neck structures
- Supraclavicular lymph nodes are located just above the clavicle and are important clinically, as enlargement here (Virchow’s node) can indicate abdominal cancers
- The nodes are anatomically organized into levels (I-VI) used for medical staging, with levels II-IV corresponding to the deep internal jugular chain running from the skull base down to the clavicle, bounded by muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid and anatomical landmarks like the hyoid bone and cricoid cartilage
- Additionally, there are accessory lymph nodes near the accessory nerve and retropharyngeal lymph nodes behind the pharynx
In summary, the lymph nodes in the neck are found superficially near veins and muscles and deeply along the internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath, extending from the base of the skull to the clavicle, including important groups like the supraclavicular nodes just above the collarbone
