Neck And Head Lymph Node

Before examining what lymph nodes are located in your head and neck, it is important to first know what they are. Lymph nodes are a part of your lymphatic system. Sometimes they are also referred to as lymph glands. However, you need to understand that these nodes do not secrete substances. There are clusters of these lymph nodes that can be found within your head and neck. These help to compose the 500 to 600 lymph nodes that can be found throughout the human body.

The jobs of your lymph nodes is to act as a filter for the various areas of your body wherein they are located. Herein they form a type of “honeycomb,” which is made up of reticular connective tissue that is filled with lymphocytes. The lymphocites are actually what collect and destroy the bacteria and viruses that are found in the area of the body they are located. So, whenever your body is trying to fight off an infection, your lymphocytes will rapidly multiply. This is why doctors will occasionally check to see of your lymph nodes are swollen whenever you go to see them when you are sick.

In your neck you have cervical lymph nodes. These lymph nodes are grouped into 2 categories, which include:

1. The Anterior Cervical Lymph Nodes are located deep inside the back of the part of your neck that is used to bend and flex your head. These lymph nodes drain the internal structures of your throat. They also drain your tonsils and your thyroid gland as well.
2. The Posterior cervical lymph nodes extend in a line at the back of your neck but in front of your largest muscle that is found in this area. It extends from the middle of your head to your shoulder bone. These are the glands that your doctor will check whenever you think that you may have a sinus infection. This is because these glands will frequently become enlarged whenever you have any type of an upper respiratory infection.

Just beneath your face's largest and strongest bone, which helps to form your lower jaw and hold your teeth in place are your Tonsillar lymph nodes. These are the lymph nodes that will drain your tonsils and the back part of your pharynx.

Beneath both sides of your jaw there are sub-mandibular lymph nodes. Their job is to drain any part of the floor of your mouth that may become infected.

Directly below your chin there are sub-mental lymph nodes. These lymph nodes will drain your teeth and any other part of your mouth that is located within your oral cavity.

Your supraclavicular lymph nodes are found in the hollow space that is right above your collar bone. These are the lymph nodes that will drain your chest and stomach whenever they are infected with bacteria.

Knowing and understanding where these glands are located and what their jobs are will help you to truly understand the amazing way in which your body is able to fight off many different forms of bacteria.

Lymph Node Cancer

Understand more about Lymph Node Cancer.