Deep cervical lymph node

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes

The Deep cervical lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes located along the length of the internal jugular vein on either side of the neck. They are part of the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in the body's immune response.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The deep cervical lymph nodes are divided into two groups: the superior deep cervical lymph nodes and the inferior deep cervical lymph nodes. The superior group is located around the upper third of the internal jugular vein, while the inferior group is located around the lower two-thirds of the vein.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the deep cervical lymph nodes is to filter lymph - a clear, watery fluid that carries white blood cells, especially lymphocytes, throughout the body. These lymph nodes also play a vital role in the body's immune response, as they are responsible for producing and storing cells that fight infection and disease.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Enlargement of the deep cervical lymph nodes, known as lymphadenopathy, can be a sign of various medical conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers such as lymphoma and metastatic cancer. Therefore, palpation of these lymph nodes is an important part of the physical examination in many clinical scenarios.

See Also[edit | edit source]


Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD