Lingual lymph nodes: Anatomy, clinical considerations, and oncological significance

Figure 1 Intermuscular spaces in the floor of the mouth. The median LLNs are situated in the central unpaired space, and the anterolateral (paraglandular) and posterolateral (parahyoid) nodes are located in the intermediate and outmost lateral spaces.

Figure 2 Lymph drainage direction toward the paraglandular LLNs. The paraglandular LLN lies in an in-transit position of the lymph flow (arrows) from the oral tongue mucous membrane to regional level I.

Figure 3 Lymph drainage direction toward the parahyoid LLNs. Parahyoid LLN lies in an in-transit position of the lymph flow (arrows) from the tongue mucous membrane to level II. If present, paraglandular LLN may drain into the parahyoid LLN.