During an infection of the palatine tonsil, a patient develops a tender, enlarged lymph node just behind the angle of the mandible. Which deep cervical node is the primary drainage site of the palatine tonsil?

• A Jugulodigastric (tonsillar) node ✓
• B Jugulo-omohyoid node
• C Deep cervical lateral (internal jugular) chain nodes
• D Retropharyngeal node

Explanation

The palatine tonsil drains primarily to the jugulodigastric node, also called the tonsillar node, located where the posterior belly of digastric crosses the internal jugular vein. This is the largest node of the deep cervical chain and becomes palpable in tonsillitis. The jugulo-omohyoid node drains the tongue. Retropharyngeal nodes drain the pharynx and nasopharynx, not the palatine tonsil.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.