Deep cervical fascia as an anatomical landmark of lingual lymph nodes: An anatomic and histologic study

We aimed to discuss the definition of lingual lymph nodes based on the deep cervical fascia anatomy.

A total of 11 cadavers were histopathologically evaluated. Specimens were dissected into serial stepwise cross-sections. The deep cervical fascia and lymph nodes were evaluated by staining the cross-sections with Elastica van Gieson and hematoxylin and eosin stains, respectively. The gross anatomy of the deep cervical fascia was evaluated in 1 cadaver after bilateral dissection.

A single severely degenerated medial lingual lymph node (MLLN) was identified in the lingual septum of 1 cadaver. A single lateral lingual lymph node (LLLN) was identified in 1 cadaver, between the genioglossus and the hyoglossus. The superficial layer of deep cervical fascia (SLDF) was found to split into two layers encapsulating the submandibular gland. The deeper portion of this fascia was in close contiguity with the hyoglossus and formed the boundary between the mouth and the neck. The SLDF was found to be discontinuous with the area between the sublingual space and the submandibular gland.

The SLDF could serve as an anatomical landmark for lingual lymph nodes, since it is considered to be the demarcating boundary during neck dissection. When lymph nodes that are located deeper than the SLDF were defined as lingual lymph nodes, 1 MLLN and 1 LLLN were identified.