A 45-year-old smoker presents with progressive hoarseness for 4 months. Laryngoscopy reveals a white leukoplakic lesion on the anterior commissure crossing to involve both vocal cords bilaterally. The Delphian (prelaryngeal) lymph node is the sentinel node for which part of the larynx?

• A Supraglottis
• B Posterior commissure
• C True glottis
• D Subglottis ✓

Explanation

The Delphian node (also called the prelaryngeal or cricothyroid node) lies in the midline on the cricothyroid membrane. It is the sentinel lymph node for subglottic carcinoma and thyroid carcinoma. Subglottic cancers drain anteriorly through the cricothyroid membrane to this node and then to pretracheal and paratracheal nodes. Glottic carcinomas have sparse lymphatics and rarely metastasize early; supraglottic cancers drain to levels II–IV bilaterally.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.