In the head, neck, and face, there are several groups of regional lymph nodes responsible for draining lymphatic fluid from these areas. Here are the primary groups of lymph nodes and the path of the relevant collectors:
Submental Lymph Nodes:
Located beneath the chin.
Drain lymph from the chin, lower lip, floor of the mouth, and tip of the tongue.
Lymphatic vessels from the submental nodes join with vessels from the submandibular nodes.
Submandibular Lymph Nodes
Located along the lower border of the mandible.
Drain lymph from the upper lip, cheeks, anterior nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses, teeth, and anterior tongue.
Lymphatic vessels from the submandibular nodes join with vessels from the submental nodes and further ascend to join the deep cervical chain.
Preauricular Lymph Nodes:
Located in front of the ears.
Drain lymph from the scalp, temple, forehead, eyelids, auricle (external ear), and external auditory canal.
Lymphatic vessels from the preauricular nodes join with vessels from the parotid nodes.
Parotid Lymph Nodes:
Located around the parotid gland.
Drain lymph from the scalp, temple, forehead, eyelids, auricle (external ear), external auditory canal, nasal cavity, and lateral portions of the face.
Lymphatic vessels from the parotid nodes join with vessels from the preauricular nodes and further drain into the deep cervical chain.
Postauricular (Mastoid) Lymph Nodes:
Located behind the ears.
Drain lymph from the scalp, temple, auricle (external ear), and external auditory canal.
Lymphatic vessels from the postauricular nodes join with vessels from the occipital nodes and further drain into the deep cervical chain.
Occipital Lymph Nodes:
Located at the base of the skull.
Drain lymph from the scalp and posterior neck.
Lymphatic vessels from the occipital nodes join with vessels from the postauricular nodes and further drain into the deep cervical chain.
Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes:
Located along the internal jugular vein in the neck.
Receive lymphatic drainage from various regions of the head and neck, including those mentioned above.
Lymphatic vessels from the deep cervical nodes ultimately drain into the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct, which return lymph to the venous circulation.
These regional lymph nodes and their collectors play a vital role in draining lymphatic fluid from the head, neck, and face, contributing to immune surveillance and fluid balance in these areas.
For the following pathological symptoms, the regions that must be treated and those that may be omitted from treatment can vary based on the individual's condition, severity of symptoms, and response to therapy. Here's a breakdown for each:
Whiplash Trauma:
Regions to Treat:
Cervical Spine and Neck: Focus on the sides, front, and back of the neck to promote lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling.
Shoulders and Upper Back: Address muscles and tissues of the shoulders and upper back to alleviate tension and improve circulation.
Posterior Cervical Chain: Target muscles and tissues along the back of the neck and upper back to reduce congestion.
Regions to Omit:
Depending on the severity and location of injury, certain areas may need to be omitted from treatment to avoid exacerbating pain or discomfort. These areas should be determined
based on individual assessment and patient feedback.
Bilateral Traumatic Edema in the Temple and Cheek Areas:
Regions to Treat:
Temporal Region: Apply MLD strokes over the temples to stimulate lymphatic flow and reduce swelling.
Cheek Area: Perform gentle MLD techniques on the cheeks to promote fluid movement away from the affected areas.
Preauricular and Postauricular Regions: Target lymphatic drainage pathways around the ears to alleviate swelling.
Regions to Omit:
Adjacent regions not directly affected by the edema may be omitted from treatment unless deemed necessary based on the individual's condition and response to therapy.
Edema After Extraction of Wisdom Teeth:
Regions to Treat:
Cheek Area: Focus on the cheeks to reduce swelling and promote healing after wisdom teeth extraction.
Jawline and Mandibular Area: Address lymphatic drainage from the lower face and jaw to alleviate swelling.
Submandibular and Submental Regions: Target areas below the jaw and under the chin to facilitate fluid movement.
Regions to Omit:
Regions within the oral cavity should generally be omitted from direct manipulation during MLD to avoid interfering with the healing process. Gentle encouragement of mouth
and jaw movements may be beneficial but should be performed cautiously.
In all cases, treatment should be tailored to the individual's needs, taking into account their specific symptoms, medical history, and response to therapy. It's important to monitor the patient closely during treatment and adjust the approach as needed to ensure optimal outcomes and patient comfort.