Deep Anterior Cervical Lymph Vessels
Vasa lymphoidei cervicalis anteriores profundi
Read moreQuick Facts
Location: Anterior and lateral to the laryngeal cartilages, thyroid gland and proximal trachea.
Drainage: The larynx, thyroid gland, and trachea
Direction of Flow: Internal jugular nodes > supraclavicular nodes > jugular trunk > thoracic duct (left) or right lymphatic duct.
Related parts of the anatomy
Description
The deep anterior cervical lymph vessels are responsible for draining the lymph fluid in the deep structures of the neck. They work in concert with the superficial anterior cervical lymph vessels; however, the deep vessels are more concentrated on draining the deep tissues of the anterior neck, specifically the larynx and thyroid gland.
There are four groups of deep anterior cervical lymph nodes and vessels, named in correspondence with their anatomical relation with the larynx, thyroid and trachea. Three of these groups drain the local tissues uniquely, however, in some instances the paratracheal cervical vessels also collect lymph fluid from the previously mentioned three groups. From here, all vessels drain into the internal jugular nodes, and then into the supraclavicular nodes, the jugular trunk, and finally the thoracic duct (left) or the right lymphatic duct (Földi et al., 2012).
References
Földi, M., Földi, E., Strößenreuther, R. and Kubik, S. (2012) Földi's Textbook of Lymphology: for Physicians and Lymphedema Therapists. Elsevier Health Sciences.
