Mastoid lymph nodes

The mastoid lymph nodes (retroauricular lymph nodes or posterior auricular glands) are a small group of lymph nodes, usually two in number, located just beneath the ear, on the mastoid insertion of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle, beneath the posterior auricular muscle.

Mastoid lymph nodes
Superficial lymph glands and lymphatic vessels of head and neck (mastoid lymph nodes are labeled as posterior auricular glands at center left)
Lymph nodes at surface: 1. Occipital (retroauricular) 2. Mastoid 3. Superficial parotid 4. Deep parotid 5. Preauricular 6. Infra-auricular 7. Intraglandular parotid Facial lymph nodes: 8. Buccinator 9. Nasolabial 10. Mandibular 11. Anterior cervical (superficial jugular) 12. Superficial cervical (external jugular)
Details
System	Lymphatic system
Drains from	Scalp
Drains to	Superior deep cervical glands
Identifiers
Latin	nodi lymphoidei mastoidei
Anatomical terminology

Their mastoid lymph nodes receives lymph from the posterior part of the temporoparietal region, the upper part of the cranial surface of the visible ear and the back of the ear canal. The lymph then passes to the superior deep cervical glands.

Etymology

The word mastoid comes from the Ancient Greek: μάσταξ (mástax, "mouth, jaws, that with which one chews").

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 693 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• Diagram at Baylor College of Medicine (listed as "retroauricular")