{"id":1426,"date":"2014-11-12T20:06:04","date_gmt":"2014-11-12T14:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthool.com\/?p=1426"},"modified":"2022-01-12T13:33:33","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T08:03:33","slug":"cervical-lymph-nodes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthool.com\/cervical-lymph-nodes\/","title":{"rendered":"Cervical Lymph Nodes"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are cervical lymph nodes?<\/h2>\n

Cervical lymph nodes are part of you lymphatic system which also includes other organs, tissues, and vessels. Your lymphatic system is what helps to fight infections and regulates your body\u2019s fluid balance. The job of your lymphatic system is to drain excess fluid from the tissues and then return it to the blood that is circulating around in your body. All lymph nodes filter debris like cancer cells, viruses, bacteria, and anything else that should not be circulating throughout the body. Your cervical lymph nodes are a great indicator of an illness, especially when they are swollen. Most of the lymph nodes, including your cervical lymph nodes, are glands that are small and bean-shaped.<\/p>\n

This fluid is called lymph<\/em> and is clear in color. It consists of the proteins that are taken from your blood. This excess fluid will drain out of your lymph capillaries which are thin-walled blood vessels. These types of blood vessels are located in the spaces between the cells throughout your body and are closed at one end. They are also referred to as neck lymph nodes<\/em>. When your lymph nodes become swollen it is called lymphadenopathy<\/em> and is more common in children than in adults.<\/p>\n

Anatomy of cervical lymph nodes<\/h2>\n

There are six different groups of lymph nodes that are located in your neck. They are classified according to where they are located in your neck.<\/p>\n

The six groups include:<\/p>\n

Tonsillar lymph nodes<\/h3>\n

These are situated just beneath your jaw bone referred to as the mandible and are responsible for draining the posterior, or back, of your pharynx and your tonsils.<\/p>\n

Sub-mental lymph nodes<\/h3>\n

These lymph nodes are located just below your chin. They help to drain your lower lip, tongue, floor of your mouth, cheek, and teeth. If they become swollen it is usually due to dental infections, toxoplasmosis, inflammation, also known as periodontitis, herpes also known as cytomegalovirus, or mononucleosis. These are also referred to as your posterior cervical lymph nodes<\/p>\n

Sub-mandibular lymph nodes<\/h3>\n

These lymph nodes lie along the bottom of your jaw bone. They drain your conjunctiva, lips, tongue, and flour of your mouth. If these lymph nodes become swollen it could be due to infections of your neck, ears, pharynx, eyes, head, and sinuses. These are also referred to as your posterior cervical lymph nodes.<\/p>\n

Supraclavicular lymph nodes<\/h3>\n

These are located in the hollow just about your collar bone, also known as the clavicle. The right lymph nodes drain your lungs, esophagus, and mediastinum. If they become swollen it can be due to Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma, lung infection or cancer, or gastrointestinal cancer. The left lymph nodes drain your abdomen and chest, also referred to as your thorax. If they become swollen it could because of retroperitoneal or thoracic cancer, an infection that could be fungal or bacterial, breast cancer, or lymphoma. A swollen lymph node on the left could be the first sign of stomach cancer even before any other symptoms of cancer appear. These are also referred to as your posterior cervical lymph nodes.<\/p>\n

The other two groups are posterior and anterior cervical lymph nodes that will be discussed later.<\/p>\n

Posterior cervical lymph nodes<\/h3>\n

Location<\/strong><\/p>\n

On your neck<\/p>\n

Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

These particular lymph nodes are responsible for filtering and draining your lymphatic fluid from the areas in your neck and head.<\/p>\n

Causes of swelling<\/strong><\/p>\n