A process in the head and neck often drains to regional lymph nodes. The location of the affected node(s) may suggest the possible site of origin for this process.
Anatomic Location
Level
submental, submandibular
Level I
upper jugular
Level II
mid-jugular
Level III
supraclavicular
Level IV
posterior triangle
Level V
paratracheal
Level VI
Level
Possible Sites of Origin
Level I
skin of lower face, lip, oral cavity
Level II
tonsil, base of tongue, parotid gland
Level III
hypopharynx, larynx, thyroid gland
Level IV
hypopharynx, larynx, thyroid gland, sites outside of the head and neck (lung, breast, GI tract, GU tract)
Level V
scalp, nasopharynx, malignant lymphoma
Level VI
larynx, thyroid gland
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