Superficial Anterior Cervical Lymph Vessels
Vasa lymphoidei cervicalis anteriores superficiales
Read moreQuick Facts
Location: The infrahyoid region close to the midline.
Drainage: Skin of the infrahyoid region, the infrahyoid muscles, the isthmus of the thyroid gland, and the infraglottal part of the larynx.
Direction of Flow: Supraclavicular nodes > jugular trunk > thoracic duct (left) or right lymphatic duct.
Related parts of the anatomy
Description
The superficial anterior cervical lymph vessels are situated in the infrahyoid region, bordered superiorly by the hyoid bone, inferiorly by the manubrium of the sternum, and laterally by the neurovascular bundle, between the superficial and middle cervical fascia. They are organized in a vertical line running close to the midline, usually lateral to the anterior jugular vein.
These vessels collect lymph from the superficial tissues in the infrahyoid region, namely the skin and local muscles, as well as the isthmus of the thyroid gland, and the infraglottal part of the larynx. Lymph flows vertically down the neck and courses laterally at the insertion of sternocleidomastoid muscle. Vessels terminate into the lowest node of the internal jugular chain, the supraclavicular node. From here, lymphatic fluid travels through the jugular trunk into 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.
