Jugulodigastric lymph nodes

Last revised by Calum Worsley on 8 Oct 2023

The jugulodigastric lymph nodes, also known as subdigastric lymph nodes, are deep cervical nodes located below the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and anterior to the internal jugular vein.

They are located in neck node level IIa and receive lymphatic drainage from the tonsils, pharynx, oral cavity and face.  

The jugulodigastric lymph nodes are typically the largest of all the cervical lymph nodes, commonly measuring over 15 mm in short axis diameter in young patients. A study of patients without a known cancer diagnosis found the mean diameter of the largest jugulodigastric node to be 14 mm 1.

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