Occipital lymph nodes | |
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![]() Superficial lymph glands and lymphatic vessels of head and neck. (Occipital glands labeled at center left.) | |
![]() Lymph nodes at surface:
Facial lymph nodes:
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Details | |
System | Lymphatic system |
Drains from | Scalp, occiput |
Identifiers | |
Latin | nodi lymphoidei occipitales |
FMA | 61214 |
Anatomical terminology |
The occipital lymph nodes are a group of 1-3 superficial lymph nodes of the head situated in the occipital region that drain part of the scalp of the occiput. [1]
They are situated at the margin of the trapezius and resting on the insertion of the semispinalis capitis .[ citation needed ]
Afferents of occipital lymph nodes contribute to the drainage of the occipital region of the scalp (this region is also drained by a lymphatic vessel which passes along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to drain directly into the inferior deep cervical lymph nodes). [2]
Their efferents in turn drain into the superior deep cervical glands. [1] [2]
During physical examination, these nodes are examined by having the patient bend their head forward and bilaterally palpating the base of the side of the head. [1]
The word occipital comes from the Latin : occiput ("the back of the head").