The mastoid lymph nodes (retroauricular lymph nodes or posterior auricular glands) are a small group of

lymph node A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphocytes that inclu ...

s, usually two in number, located just beneath the ear, on the mastoid insertion of the

sternocleidomastoideus muscle The sternocleidomastoid muscle is one of the largest and most superficial cervical muscles. The primary actions of the muscle are rotation of the head to the opposite side and flexion of the neck. The sternocleidomastoid is innervated by the acces ...

, beneath the posterior auricular muscle. 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 ear canal (external acoustic meatus, external auditory meatus, EAM) is a pathway running from the outer ear to the middle ear. The adult human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum and is about in length and in diameter. Struc ...

. The lymph then passes to the

superior deep cervical glands The superior deep cervical lymph nodes are the deep cervical lymph nodes that are situated adjacent to the superior portion of the internal jugular vein. They drain either to the inferior deep cervical lymph nodes or into the jugular trunk. Most ...

Etymology

The word ''mastoid'' comes from the grc, μάσταξ (, "mouth, jaws, that with which one chews").

References

External links

Diagram
at Baylor College of Medicine (listed as "retroauricular") {{Portal bar, Anatomy Lymphatics of the head and neck