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Lymph Nodes and Neck Lumps Quiz
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Which group of lymph nodes first receives lymph from the face and scalp?
- A Paratracheal lymph nodes You picked ✕
- B Regional superficial lymph nodes of the head You picked ✓
- C Supraclavicular lymph nodes You picked ✕
- D Retropharyngeal lymph nodes You picked ✕
- E Deep cervical lymph nodes You picked ✕
Correct!
Incorrect
The answer is B: Regional superficial lymph nodes of the head
Explanation
Why B is correct
See Lateral Neck Lumps. Option B is correct: the first nodes to receive lymph from the face and scalp are the superficial lymph nodes of the head and neck. These form a ring at the junction of the head and neck, running from under the chin round to the back of the head. They include the occipital nodes (back of the scalp), the pre-auricular nodes (in front of the ear, draining the face and temple), the submental nodes (under the chin) and the submandibular nodes (below the jaw). The superficial nodes then drain into the deep cervical lymph nodes, a vertical chain that receives all the lymph from the head and neck, either directly or indirectly. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped filters packed with immune cells; they swell when they are fighting infection or when cancer cells have reached them, which is why a patient with a localised neck lump needs the nodes of the head and neck examined. A simple memory aid: the superficial nodes are the first stop and the deep cervical chain is the final collecting point for the head and neck.
- First nodes: the superficial lymph nodes form a ring at the junction of the head and neck, from under the chin round to the back of the head.
- Members: they include the occipital, pre-auricular, submental and submandibular nodes.
- Next stage: they drain into the deep cervical lymph nodes, which receive all the lymph from the head and neck.
Why the other options are incorrect
- A. Paratracheal lymph nodes: Paratracheal nodes lie around the trachea and drain structures such as the thyroid, not the face and scalp first. Your answer
- C. Supraclavicular lymph nodes: Supraclavicular nodes are part of the deep cervical chain and receive lymph after the superficial head and neck nodes have collected it. Your answer
- D. Retropharyngeal lymph nodes: Retropharyngeal nodes sit behind the pharynx and drain the nasopharynx and oropharynx, not the face and scalp. Your answer
- E. Deep cervical lymph nodes: The deep cervical nodes lie along the internal jugular vein and receive all the lymph of the head and neck, but they receive it second, either directly or via the superficial nodes. They would be the answer if the question asked where lymph from the head and neck finally drains. Your answer
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More questions from this set. Start the quiz to answer them and see each explanation.
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1
A 24-year-old woman has a painless, slowly enlarging, fluctuant (soft and fluid-filled) lump at the upper part of the front edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Which diagnosis best fits its position and feel?
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2
A 21-year-old woman has a painless neck lump that she has noticed since childhood. It lies high in the midline of the neck and does not move on swallowing or on protruding the tongue. What is the most likely diagnosis?
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