Immune and Lymphatic Systems of the Head and Neck

The lymphatic system drains the head and neck of excess intercellular fluid (or lymph) via the lymph vessels or capillaries. The lymph fluid in the head and neck drains into the jugular ducts, which eventually empties into both the right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct.

Lymph nodes can be found in the neck and along the cervical spine, as well as along the lines of the face and the jaw. The most notable of these are the cervical nodes, which can often be felt in the neck just...

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Full Immune and Lymphatic Systems of the Head and Neck Description

[Continued from above] . . . under the jaw line. Tonsils are also made up of lymphatic tissue and they work to prevent excessive ingestion of infectious agents.

The lymphatic system works closely with the immune system: lymph nodes trap pathogens so that antibodies can attack them; the byproducts of this attack (dead bacteria or viral particles and dead or damaged antibodies and white blood cells) can be flushed out of the body along with the interstitial fluid.