Have you ever known where the head's lymph nodes are? Learn about the locations of the lymph nodes in the head and everything you may be interested in knowing about the lymph nodes in the content of our following article.
The lymphatic system is the body's intricate network of organs, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. Lymph glands are abundant in some major parts such as the neck, head, abdomen, groin area, and armpit fossa.
Read on to find out where the lymph nodes are located in the head and everything else you might find interesting in the lines that follow:
The locations of the lymph nodes in the head based on the type
The scalp, face, and head's lymph nodes serve as filters for this fluid. The neck's superficial and deep lymph nodes receive the lymph drainage. The locations of the lymph nodes in the head can be divided into two parts: superficial lymph nodes and deep lymph nodes.
Locations of the lymph nodes in the superficial head
From the chin to the back of the head, it is a superficial ring of lymph nodes that eventually drains into the deep lymph nodes.
The facial lymph nodes and the pericervical lymphatic circle, a ring of lymph nodes at the point where the neck and the head meet, are among the superficial lymph nodes.
The superficial lymph nodes include the following:
1. The occipital lymph nodes
It is situated at the lateral border of the trapezius muscle in the back of the head.
The occipital region of the scalp houses one to three lymph nodes, which are the usual number.
2. Mastoid or post-ear lymph nodes
It is located in the posterior part of the ear at the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It typically has two lymph glands. Lymph is gathered from the back of the neck, the top of the ear, and the back of the ear canal.
3. Pre-ear lymph nodes
There are typically one to three lymph nodes in the anterior portion of the ear, and lymph is gathered from the temporal lobe and the superficial areas of the face.
4. Parotid lymph nodes
It is a small group of lymph nodes that collects lymph from the nose, nasal cavity, external auditory canal, tympanic cavity, and orbital lateral wall bones and is superficially located in the parotid gland.
The parotid gland contains deep parotid lymph nodes that remove lymph from the nasal passages and nasopharynx.
5. Lymph nodes under the chin
Lymph is collected by these glands, which are superficially located in the myelomeningocele, from the tongue's tip, the floor of the mouth, and the central lower lip.
6. Submandibular lymph nodes
Lymph is gathered from the cheeks, lateral sides of the nose, lateral parts of the lower lip, upper lip, gingiva, and anterior tongue, all of which are located in the mandibular triangle. Usually, there are 3–6 submandibular lymph nodes.
7. The facial lymph nodes
These lymph nodes are dispersed throughout the region above the upper and lower jaw. Lymph may also collect from the mucous membranes of the cheek, nose, eyelid, and conjunctiva as well.
Lymph nodes located in the deep head
It is a series of vertical lymph nodes located in close proximity to the internal jugular vein within the sheath of the carotid artery. The jugular lymphatic trunks are formed by the vessels that emerge from the deep cervical lymph nodes.
The deep upper and lower cervical lymph nodes are the two categories of nodes, and the following places house them:
- Pre-larynx nodes.
- trachea.
- behind the pharynx.
- around the girdle muscles.
- Around the ventricle jaw muscles i.e. the tonsils.
- over the hyoid muscle.
- above the collarbone.
Swelling of the lymph glands in the head
after learning the location of the head's lymph nodes? It must be noted that swollen lymph nodes can be brought on by a bacterial or viral infection, and in rare circumstances, cancer cells may also be to blame.
Pain in the lymph nodes and swollen lymph nodes the size of a pea or slightly larger indicate a health disorder that the immune system is attempting to fight off by the lymph nodes.
Possible causes of swollen lymph nodes include:
1. The most common causes
Infection is the most common cause of swollen lymph glands, especially viral infections. The following are some of the most prevalent sources of infection:
- Measles.
- ear infection
- streptococcal sore throat
- Infectious mononucleosis .
- Tooth abscess.
- skin infection
- Immunity deficiency Virus.
2. Less common infections
Less common causes of swollen lymph nodes are the following:
- certain infections, including cat scratch disease, syphilis, and sexually transmitted illnesses like toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis.
- Immune system disorders: rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Cancer: diseases like lymphoma and leukaemia that spread to the lymph nodes.
- Medicines: such as anti- malarials and epileptic seizures.
When should I worry about swollen lymph nodes in the head?
After clarifying the swelling of the lymph nodes and the locations of the lymph nodes in the head in detail, let us tell you that the swelling of the lymph nodes usually returns to normal when the underlying cause is gone, but you should be concerned about the swelling of the lymph nodes, as some symptoms appear on the swollen glands, you should consult a doctor, including the following:
- The appearance of swollen lymph nodes for no apparent reason.
- Continue to swell.
- Swollen glands remain for two to four weeks.
- The swelling feels hard or rubbery.
- The swelling does not move when pressed.
- Fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.
- difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing .