Lymph Nodes of the Head,
Neck and Shoulder Region
of Swine
L. I. Saar, Dr. med. vet.
R. Getty, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D.*
I. Introduction
A review of various textbooks and other
publications concerned with the lymph
system, clearly indicated a great variety of
terminology used to group the lymph nodes
of 'swine in region of the head, neck and
shoulder. Probably the statement made by
Baum (1912) was true that, "the group-
ing of the lymph nodes is basically very
uncertain and will always depend upon the
individual viewpoint of the author." Never-
the less, an attempt will be made to clarify
the controversies found in literature about
the descriptive information and terms
used.
II. Review of the Literature
Before 1914 it was generally assumed
that the patterns of the flow of lymph of
swine were probably similar to the ox
(Titze, 1914). This opinion was mainly
based on viewpointS' expressed by Bartels
(1909), that evidently there was basic
similarity in distribution of the lymph ves-
sels and the lymph nodes in mammals and
man. In fact, however, before 1914 the ox
was the only animal in which the location
of the lymph nodes and their drainage
are a s were systematically examined
(Baum, 1912). At that time, the descrip-
tive information found in textbooks about
the lymph system of swine was kept at a
minimum (Chauveau 1902; von Ostertag,
1904; Ellenberger-Baum, 1908; Sisson,
• From Iowa State University. Ames. Iowa; where
Dr. Saar is with the Department of Veterinary Anat·
omy and Dr. Getty is Professor and Head of the
Department of Veterinary Anatomy. College of Veteri·
nary Medicine.
120
1914). Titze (1911-1914) tried to investi-
gate the lymph flow of swine by injecting
bovine tuberculosis cultures subcutane-
ously but his experiments failed. The first
known research paper published about the
location of the lymph nodes was done by
Gregor (1914), on swine fetuses approach-
ing term. In 1927/28 Postma confirmed
Gregors results and pointed out the differ-
ences found between the lymph flow of
swine compared to the ox. In 1929 Baum
re-examined the location of the lymph
nodes and introduced a new terminology
for ,the lymph node groups of swine as
found in the region of the head, neck and
shoulder. Baum's terminology was adopted
by von Ostertag (1932); Egehoj (1934-
37); Zietzschmann (1939); Grau (1938,
1943); Klimow-Akajewski (1950); SchOn-
berg-Zietzschmann (1958). Some text-
books, however, like Sisson-Grossman
(1938, 1953) remained firm on terminol-
ogy and descriptive information used be-
fore 1914. Sisson's influence was reflected
in publications of the V.S.D.A. Circular
No. 866 (1951) and St. Clair (1958).
Some authors, like Thornton (1949, 1957)
preferred to keep an "intermediate" posi-
tion by mentioning in part some of Baum's
and Egehoj's results, but otherwise stating
that, "the nodes of the head and neck are
numerous and somewhat difficult to group
satisfactorily. "
It should be stressed here that Baum's
(1929, 1938); Egehoj's (1934-1937) and
Zietzschmann's (1939, 1958) research re-
sults on lymph flow, were obtained mainly
from experiments conducted on nonliving
Iowa State University Veterinarian
animals. Most (1927) recommended to
explore the possibilities for research on the
lymph system on living ( anesthetized)
animals, and he referred to his work per-
formed in 1908 on rabbits and guinea pigs.
Postma (1928) criticized his own methods
of using dead piglets by saying, "However
the direction of the lymph flow on 'a living
animal will still remain a hypothesis." Ac-
cording to Rusznyak et. al. (1960), "all
data of the earlier literature that are based
an application of injection techniques
should be revised by means of autoinjec-
tion of the lymphatic system with lymph,"
performed on living animals. In fact
Egehoj (1934) demonstrated that differ-
ences may be found on lymph flow on
dead and live oxen, which results in turn
influence the terminology used to group
the lymph nodes.
First, however it seemed proper for the
authors to re-examine the terminology of
the lymph nodes of swine as sited in pre-
sent literature.
III. Terminology of the lymph nodes of
the head, neck and shoulder region
of swine.
In the tables I through IV the classifi-
cation of the lymph nodes of the past are
arranged according to the descriptive in-
formation and illustrations given by vari-
ous authors. In table I, the first column
lists the terms given by Baum (1929).
They were compared in chronological
order with those which existed before and
after Baum's classification. The continu-
ous horizontal lines indicate the corre-
sponding regions of the lymph nodes de-
scribed by various authors. The dotted
horizontal lines were drawn as "guide
lines" thus allowing the reader to compare
the different terms presented in the tables
I through IV.
It can be observed in tables I through IV
that various authors of the past have
grouped the lymph nodes into a variable
number of groups; ranging from 4 (Chau-
veau, 1902) to eleven (Postma, 1928).
On a number of occasions the lymph node
groups described by Baum (1929) cor-
respond in part only with the classification
given by the other authors. The question
marks (?) placed after a term should in-
Issue, No.3, 1962-63
dicate that the description given by the
author may be considered as vague. Fur-
thermore, a question mark ( ? ) in an
empty rubic designates that an equivalent
term for Baum's (1929) classification was
not given. Occasionally some of the terms
were marked with one or two "stars" (*)
( * * ) bringing to attention that terms
marked by the same number of stars repre-
sent together one group only. [See Table I,
column 4, (Ostertag, 1904): middle cerv-
cal glands (* ).J
It can be observed from tables given that
all the authors listed were in agreement
regarding the descriptive information
about the Lnn. mandibulares (Submaxil-
lary nodes) and the Lnn. cervicales super-
ficiales dorsales (Prescapular nodes), al-
although a number of synonyms were
used. (C .... mpare the upper (first) and the
lower, t14th) horizontal group through
tables (I) to (IV).
The Ln. retropharyngicus medialis
(Baum, 1929; Engehoj, 1936; Grau, 1943;
Klimow-Akajewski, 1950; Zietzschmann,
1958), corresponds with the "retropharyn-
geal glands" of von Ostertag, 1904; Ellen-
berger-Baum, 1908, 1915. These nodes
were called by Sisson (1914, 1953); "Cir-
cular No. 866" (1951) and 8t. Clair
(1958) as the "suprapharyngeal lymph
nodes." The other synonyms noted were:
ganglions retropharyngiens, or cervicaux
superieurs (Montane, 1920); "deep cervi-
cal lymph node" (Jossifow, 1932); the
superior cervical glands (Castor, 1938);
the internal retropharyngeal lymph nodes
(Thornton, 1957). Some (earlier) authors
considered the latter nodes as being part
of a larger group of lymph nodes. (E.g. the
"glandulae tracheales superiores" (Franck,
1871); the "pharyngeal glands" (Chau-
veau, 1902); the "upper cervical lymphatic
glands" (Leighton, 1927).
Comparing the descriptive information
given for the "posterior cervical or pre-
pectoral lymph glands" (Sisson, 1914,
1953; "Circular" No. 866, 1951) it ap-
peared that the following terms were con-
sidered as being synonymous: "Glandulae
tracheales inferiores, or the "glandulae
cervicales profundae inferiores (Franck,
1871); the "lower or caudal cervical lymph
glands, (von Ostertag, 1904); the '1ym-
121
......
t-:>
t-:> ~COLUMN 1 2 3 4
o
U Baum. 1929 Fr 8 Chauveau, 1902 v. Ost
P (Baum-Grau, 1938) anck, 1 71 (Engl. ed.) (Engl.

Lnn. Old. Submaxillary, or Subma

1 mandibu1ares: submaxillaris subglossal @"lands p;lands"

TABLE I 2' Lnn. Gld. maxillares

Terminology applied parotidei posteriores or _'-
to the lymph nodes Ln. '
Gld. subauricu- r - - - -
of head, neck and 3 retropharyngeus lares
shoulder region of , ......;.,... - _ r- _
swine from 1871 to ~
1960. Remarks for 4 ';;l Cranial. Lymph
tables I thru IV: I-- b Group _ _ _ _ _ _
Ln. = Lymphonodus; • ~ Middle
Lnn.= Lymphonodi;
Gld. = Glandulae; Lgl 5 ~. Group
= Lymphoglandulae; r--- u'i:! - - .t- - - -t- -
(?) = placed after a 6 S 8. Caudal
term indicates that the ~ iii Group
description given by - - -- - -
Lnn. Glandulae Uoper
an author may be 7 mandibul~s tracheales Pharyngeal. glands
considered as "vague" .., superiores _ _ _ glands _
or in an empty rubric Lnn. cervical.es
it shows that an 8 superficiales Middle
..... elluivalent term for medii glands
o Baum's (1929) dassi - - -- - -
~ cation was not given Inn. Retrop
!:l
CI) In a column term 9 ~:~~~geus glands
....
!:l marked with the same Lnn. cervicale~
- - -r- - -
....
(1) number of "stars,' 10 m f di
Q) pro un
represent one lymph I-- 'il craniales - - - Middle
~ node group only 't! Lnn.cervicales Gld.tracheales glands
::;. (See also text!) 11 J:; profundi v. cervi cales
(1)
U s::
r--- .,:8 ;;';'r!tf m;'t!i"A 'f?'
Lnn. cerv. 1
;;;.... •.e
12 s:: 0
prof caudaJ.es G d. tracheales
~
oS to ( ii) inferiores, Gld. Prepectoral. Lower
~ me an cervical.es glands (includes cervic
~ 13 cau:dale s
Lnn. cerv~~. profundae also the !.nn. glands
;::t lat. (Axi s inferiores sternales, Baum)
;:! rimae COg
!:l IT .nn. cervicales Presca
::I. 14 ~~. erficiales Gld. cervicalell Prescapular superfi
§ "D~""-"l •• superf'iciales glands cervica
 ....
'"'";:: G COLUMN 1
R 7 8 9
.<1:>
0 Gregor, 19].4
Z U (cited by Postma. Ellenberger- Montane-
? '28 and Baum. 129) Baum. 191$ Bourdelle. 1920 Martin.
P
C.:l
...... Mandibular Ganglions sous-
(0 1 Lgl. maxillaires ou Lgl. ma
m lymph node submaxillaris snu: _ ..1n""i"n" (submax
~ 2 Inn. Ganglion pre- Lgl. par
C.:l paroUdei parotidien
- - - uang.Ll.on
3 ilJaramastoidien
Ln. !G> (pre-atlo1dien) Lgl.
~ retropharyngeus I- - - - tropha
4 lateral1s ~ laterale
... Gangl10ns
Lgl. parot1deae ~Po post-
5 parot1diens
OUIference not aI:: Lgl. cer
available) I- - - - mediae
-6 :a
fj superfic
0

Upper cervical
- - Lgl. cer
1
lymph node Ganglions- craniall
cervicaux moyens
8 au jugulaires (*) Lgl. cer
(1) mediales
~ - - Gangl. retro-p~ar.yn Lgl. retr
9 Lgl, glens. au cervicaux
retroDharvn2eales sup_eneurs gea medi
~ - -
Lgl. cervi cales
10 craniales Gangl10ns
(Reference not cervicaux moyens Lgl. cer
~
available) au jugulalres (*) mediales
11 Lgl. cervlcales
mediae
I--- - -
12 Gangl. pre-pecto-
Lgl. cervicales raux; auxi11aire • ~l. cer
~ - I-caudales -
- au de l'entree prof. ca
13 de In poitrine
I ;:)uperficial Gangl. pre-scapu-
..... Lgl. cervicales cer
I.\:l
14 cervical lymph superficiales laires au cervicaux Lgl.
superfici
W node inferieul'S __
.....
t-.:l G
>1>0 COLUMN 14 15
R 13
0
U v. Ostertag, v. Oste
Postma, 1928 Jossifow, 1932 (Engl.
P 1932
Ln. Lgl. submaxillaris submax
Ln. ~phat
1 mandibularis mandibularis anterior (In. m
Lgl. parotidea Parotid
TABLE 1 2 Ln. Ln. gland;
Terminology applied -parotideus parotideus superior 1_nnnnn
to the lymph nodes Lgl. parotidea Lateral
of head, neck and 3 Ln. retropharyn- pharyng
shoulder region of
geus lateralis inferior (?) ~orluli
r-- Lnn.
swine from 187I to retropharyngei
1960. Remarks for 4 laterales
tables I thru IV:
Ln. = Lymphonodus; Lnn. cervicales "Superficial - Ventral
Lnn. = Lymphonodi; 5 Lnn. cervicales super!:iciales cervical lymph fidal
Gld. Glandulae; Lgl.
= medii super- ventrales node" (?) lympho
= Lymphoglandulae; -6 ficiales
- -
(?)
= placed after a
term indicates that the
description given by Ln. cervicalis Lnn. Lgl. submaxillaris Access
an author may be 7 mandibulares posterior mandib
considered as "~'ague";
cranial.is accessorii ~V1TIPho
or in an empty rubric Ln. cerv. prof. Lnn. cervi cales Median
it shows that an 8 medii, "Ln. under superficiales (?) lymph n
equivalent term for brachiocephalicus medii cervic
o Baum's (1929) classi- Ln. "!Jeep cerv:l.CIU. l'leCllaJ.
-~ catiou was not given. retropharyngeus Lnn. retropharyn- lymph node" (Lgl. retroph
>::l 9 geus medialis
en In a colullln terms medialis retropharyngea) lympho
.,..,. marked with the same ~nt
>::l
number of "stars," 10 III Lnn. cerv. rod
~ Q) .c
represent one lymph cranial.es cer
c::: r-- Lnn. tracheales - ~
;:: node group only. u -
Lnn. cerv.
;:;;. (See also text!). 11
- -t [Me
(1) medii '2U IJ-y
o§ - (?) III
- - -ri'tl
~. "Several small Lnn. cerv. lPo
ta.....
~ 12 nodes at the caudales
t lii
Q)r-I ~ym
.., ~t t}!>D
-.::::
(1)
r" LOwer ce
.,..,. Lnn. axillares
(1) 13 Lnn. cervical.es Lgl. primae prepect
.... profundi caudales primae costae costae axillary
E" Prescap
>::l In. cervicalis
.... 14 In. cervicalis Lgl. cervi calis glands;
s" superficialis superficialis centralia
;:! dorsalis cerv. ly
 G
R COLUMN 1Q 20 21
-''""
~ 0 Klimow-Akajewski,
U U.S.D.A.:
z p 1950; and Grau in: Circular No. 866 iThornton, 19S1 St. Cla
Sl E11enberger-Baum,'4 1951
cv
..... Lnn. Mandibular lymph ~ubmaxillary Mandib
(0
1 mandibulares glands ~ymnh node lymnh n
Ol
If
Ol 2 Inn. Parotid lymoh node Parotid lY'/ll!lh
CV parotidici inode Parotid
Lnn. retropharyn- nodes
3
gici later ales
- - -I- - -
4
_ ~~escapular -I- -
-5 Inn. cervicales - ~Anterior and ymph nodes (*)
s uperfic1ales Middle cervical.
ventrales ~ lymph plands (*) _
- - - - ~osterio
6 prepecto
Lnn. mandibulares
- - ~nterior or upper
1 accessorii cerviciil(a~~es~~~
Isubmaxi Larv no Middle
cervi cales SUpplementary ?rescapular lymph n
8 1Lnn.
Isup!'. medii cervicat Fh
glands 1 - ~ymph nodes (*) (1)
Ln. retropharyn- suprapharyngeal. Internal retro- Supraph
9 gius medialis lymph glands pharyngeal lymph lymph n
nodes
., Lnn. cerv.
10 Q) cranial.es Anterior and • Middle
I-- 'aul Middle cervical fMtddle cervical
Lnn. cerv. lymph nodes lymph n
n lymph glands (*)
medii
I--- U
E:a§
.... Lnn. cerv•
12 caudales Prepectoral or
.§[ posterior Prepectorals or Posteri
cervical lymph p.ower cervical or prep
JLnn. axillares lymoh nodes lymph n
13 j;>rimae costae glands
IIll. CervlCa.i1s ?res c apular Prescap
...... 14 Isuperficialis Prescapular posteri
t.:l borsalis lymph glands lymph nodes I cerv. Iv
CJl
phoglandulae cervicales caudales," (Ellen-
berger-Baum, 1908, 1915); the "ganglion
pre-pectoraux; auxillaire ou de l'entree
(Montane, 1920). In Ellenberger-Baum
(1926) the "prepectorals" were divided
into two distinct groups, namely the Lnn.
cervicales caudales and the Lnn. axillares.
Postma (1928) described the "prepector-
als" as composed of "several small nodes
at the thoracic entrance" and of the Lnn.
cervicales profundi caudales. In 1929,
Baum concluded from his research that
those "prepectorals" should be described as
composed of the Lnn. cervicales profundi
caudles (mediana) and the Lnn. cervicles
profoundi caudales (laterales). The lat-
ter lymph nodes were considered by Baum
as representing the Lnn. axillares primae
costae of the ox. In 1932, von Ostertag
adopted Baum's terminology, but unfor-
tunately, in the English translation of
the same book (1934), the term "Lnn.
axillares primare costae" was translated
as being synonymous with the "lower cer-
vical or prepectoral lymph nodes" (Sisson,
1914; Leighton, 1927). This has caused
confusion in the English literature, due to
the fact that the Lnn. axillares primae
costate (Baum) presented only a part of
the "prepectorals" (Sisson, 1914). Accord-
ing to St. Clair (1958) the prepectorial
lymph nodes included the following groups
described by Baum (1929, 1938); 1) Lnn.
cervicales profundi caudales, 2) Lnn. axil-
lares primae costae and 3) the caudal
group of the Lnn. cervicales superficiales
ventrales.
Most controversial 'and confusing was
the terminology and descriptive informa-
tion given for the parotid lymph nodes.
The difficulties involved were due to group-
ing the Jymph nodes situated along the
posterior border of the parotid salivary
gland. (See illustration No.1). Ostertag
( 1904) referred to these nodes as the
"lymphatic glands"; and Leighton (1927)
called them "other lymphatic glands." In
Ellenberger-Baum (1908) these nodes
were described as the "lymhoglandulae
subparotidea" and in 1915 the latter term
was ohanged by the same authors into
"lymphoglandulae parotideae." It included
also the Lnn. mandibulares accessorii
(Baum,1929). Sisson (1914) and Sisson-
126
Grossman (1953) were in general agree-
ment with Ellenberger-Baum (1908,
1915), except the lymph nodes situated at
the posterior ventral edge of the parotid
salivary gland were named as the "middle
cervical lymph glands" which included
also the Lnn. cervicales superficiales medii
(Baum, 1929). In Montane-Bourdelle
(1920) and in Ellenberger-Baum (1926)
the parotid lymph nodes were divided into
three groups of w.hich 1) the ganglions
preparotidien (Montane, 1920) corre-
sponded with the Lnn. parotidei (Ellen-
berger-Baum, 1926); Ln. parotideus
(Postma, 1928); Lnn. parotidici (Grau,
1943); 2) The ganglions paramastoidien
(pre-atloidien) by Montane (1920) were
synonymous with the Ln. retropharyngeus
lateralis (Ellenberger-Baum, 1926; Baum,
1929; Grau, 1943); while the Ln. retro-
pharyngeus lateralis, described by Gregor
(1914), Martin (1923) and Postma
(1928) corresponded with the "Subparo-
tid gland" (Sissqn, 1914, 1953); 3) The
ganglions post-parotidiens (M 0 n tan e
1920) were synonymous with the Lnn.
cervicales superficiales ventrales (Baum,
1929). Martin (1923) referred to those
nodes as the Lgl. cervicales mediae super-
ficiales (Table II, column 10). St. Clair
(1958) considered the posterior-ventral
group of the Lnn. cerv.supf. ventrales
(Baum, 1929) as being part of the "pre-
pectoral" nodes (Table IV, column 22).
According to Baum (1929) the pre-
scapular lymph nodes of swine form 3
groups (dorsal, ventral and medial) of
which all of them present the superficial
cervical lymph nodes. The "prescapular
lymph nodes" (Chauveau, 1902); Sisson,
1914; Montane, 1920; Thornton, 1957)
were the "dorsal superficial cervical"
lymph nodes (Baum, 1929); while the
nodes located at the posterior border of
the parotid salivary gland were considered
by Baum as the ventral supf. cervical
lymph nodes (See table I, column 1). The
medial superficial cervical lymph nodes
(Lnn. cervicales superficiales medii;
Baum, 1929), were called by Postma
( 1928) as the Ln. cervicalis profundus
medii, or as "the lymph nodes located
under the brachiocephalicus muscle," and
were probably the "deep cervical glands"
Iowa State University Veterinarian
 (Castor, 1938) or the "supplementary cer-
vical lymph glands" (V.S.D.A.; Circular,
1951). In Martin (1923) these nodes
were described as being part of the "me-
dial deep cervical" lymph nodes (See table
II, column 10). According to von Oster-
tag, (1904); Sisson, 1914, 1953); Leigh-
ton, (1927); St. Clair, (1958); those
nodes were probably included into the
"middle cervical lymph nodes."
The Lnn. mandibulares accessorii
(Baum, 1929) were synonymous with the
"upper cervical glands" (von Ostertag,
1904; Gregor, 1914; Thornton, 1957); the
Lgl. cervicalis prof. cranialis (Martin,
1923); the Ln. cervicalis cranialis (Postma
1928); and the Lgl. submaxillaris poster-
ior (Jossifow, 1932). In Montaine-Bour-
delle (1920) those nodes were described
as being part of the ganglions cervicaux
moyens, ou jugulaires, and St. Clair
(1958) referred to them as the "middle
cervical lymph nodes."
A short review of the grouping of the
lymph nodes and the terms used showed·
that the problems involved were not solely
due to choice of different terms used, but
frequqently the same terms were used to
describe different lymph node groups.
Furthermore the number of lymph node
groups differed greatly and thus the termi-
nology frequently overlapped. The ques-
tion, who's terminology and grouping
should be preferred, can be answered only
through a thorough knowledge of the af-
ferent and efferent lymph vessels, and by
taking into consideration the general view-
points outlined by the comparative anat-
omy and standards set by the Internation
Anatomical Nomenclature Committees
(LA.N.C.).
However, in order to compare previous
results published about the lymph flow of
the non-living swine, with experiments
conducted on living animals, placed under
anesthesia; the terminology used by Baum
(1929), Egehoj (1934-1937) and Zietz-
schmann (1958) was adopted.
IV. Location of the lymph nodes of the
head, neck and shoulder region of swine.
A. Material
For the dissection purposes 25 swine of
"mixed breeds" of approximately 45-70
Issue, No.3, 1962-63
kg. body weight were used. Within the
limitations, the "mixed breeds" may be
classified as: 6 "Chester White" (4 female,
2 castrated males); 3 "Duroc" (2 female,
1 castrated male); 10 "Hampshire" (8 fe-
male, 2 castrated males); 5 "Berkshire"
(3 female, 2 castrated males) and one
"Spotted Poland China" (female). Eleven
of the animals 'showed a minor degree and
two a marked degree of "chronic rhinitis."
Three swine presented an umbilical hernia
and one animal a scrotal hernia. One ani-
mal exhibited an abscess the size of a base-
ball on the left ventral side of the neck.
Five of the swine were considered as "with-
out clinical symptoms" which did not ex-
clude slight "stiffness." Twenty of the
swine showed arthritis to a lesser or
greater degree on one or several joints.
Furthermore, all of the swine showed on
postmortem pathological changes in the
lungs, indicating flu, chronic pneumonia,
or parasitic conditions.
B. Method
The 25 swine described under "mater-
ials" were used for investigations con-
ducted on the lymph flow of live animals
placed under anesthesia, by using the in-
jection dye T-1824*. A detailed report
about the method, technique and results
will be published in another article to fol-
dow. In short, however, it may be said
here that after lY2-1% hours following
injection the animals were sacrificed while
under the anesthesia either by exsanqui-
nation through the femoral blood vessels
(9 swine) or by giving an overdose of the
anesthetic (16 swine), thus leaving the
blood vessels intact. After removal of the
viscera the specimens were placed for 24
hours in a cooler at 34° F. By routine dis-
section the lymph vessels and the lymph
nodes were exposed. In this article, the
location of the lymph nodes will be de-
scribed only.
C. Results
a) General Observations
Ins swine the neck is relatively short
compared to the horse, dog, cow and
sheep; thus, the structures involved in this
* "Evans Blue," Allied Chemical Co., New York,
N. Y.
127
 area are somewhat closer together. After
reflecting the skin, the underlying heavy
fat deposits and the cutaneous muscles
(Platysma and the M. cutaneous colli) the
large three-cornered parotid gland is vis-
ible. It extends from near the base of the
ear along the posterior border of the man-
dible and continues up to the incisura
vasorum. Its posterior border covers to a
greater part the M. brachiocephalicus (M.
cleidooccipitaIis) and ventral, the parotid
gland extends up to the ventral edge of thE
M. sternohyoideus. A number of lymph
nodes are found along the anterior and the
posterior border of the parotid gland,
being partly or completely covered by the
latter gland.
In swine the lymph nodes usually fonn
clusters (conglomerations) of nodes, of
which their number is often difficult to de-
tennine. For that reason they were re-
ferred to as presenting one "lymph node"
(Ln). However, when in a certain region
several conglomerations of lymph nodes
were found or when ;single lymph nodes
were clearly distinguished from each
other, then they were termed "lymph
nodes" (Lnn).
The color of the lymph nodes varied
from gray-white to tan-grey in animals
sacrificied during anesthesia by exsanqui-
nation or by an overdose of anesthetic.
This is in contrast to the reddish-brown
color of the parotid lymph nodes seen in
animals killed at abattoirs.
The lymph nodes, show!! in illustration
( 1) may be described as the "superficial
lymph nodes." The "deep lymph nodes"
are related to the trachea from the jugular
process down to the thoracic entIance and
include the Lnn. cervicales profundi and
the Ln. retropharyngicus medialis. [They
are not shown in illustration (1)]. The
latter classification, however, is somewhat
empirical, because often it is difficult to
decide which of the lymph nodes should
be considered as being "deep" or "super-
ficial." In the following the lymph nodes
will be grouped as: 1) the lymph nodes
(Lnn.) of the head, 2) the Lnn. of the
neck and 3) the Lnn. of the thoracic limb.
The term lymphocentrum (Lc.) as intro-
duced by Baum (1926) and discussed by
Saar-Getty (1962) will be applied to sum-
128
marize differently named lymph node
groups which in fact represent a larger
common functional unit.
b) The Lymph Nodes of the Head
The lymph nodes of the head form three
lymph centers [Lymphocentra (Lcc.)] of
which in swine the parotide lymph center
(Lc. parotidicum) includes the lympho-
nodi (Lnn.) parotidici only; while the
mandibular lymph center (Lc. mandibu-
lare) is composed of the Lnn. mandibu-
lares and the Lnn. mandibularesaccess-
orii. The retropharyngical lymph center
(Lc. retropharyngicum) presents the Lnn.
retropharyngici lateralis and the lympho-
nodus (Ln.) retropharyngicus medialis.
1) The Parotid Lymph Center (Le. paro-
tidieum) (Illust. 1; and Fig's. 1,2,3)
The Parotid lymph nodes (Lnn. paroti-
dici) are situated ventral to the mandibu-
lar joint at the posterior border of the M.
masseter forming an elongated group of
lymph nodes of 2.5 to 5 cm. in length and
0.5 cm. to 1.5 cm. in width. Thus the
lymph nodes are located lateral to the V.
maxillaris interna and extend dorsal and
ventral to the latter vein. The Lnn. paro-
tidici may be composed of 2 to 8 lymph
nodes, being partly or completely covered
laterally by the anterior edge of the paro-
tid gland.
2) The Mandibular Lymph Center (Le.
mandibulare)
The mandibular lymph nodes (Lnn.
mandibulares) (Illust. 1; and Fig's 1,2,3)
are covered laterally by the cutaneous
muscles and the parotid salivary gland.
They are located at the caudoventral
border of the mandible, on the lateral side
of the M. sternohyoideus. They are found
ventromedial to the angle of the mandible
and anterior to the mandibular gland. Us-
ually the lymph nodes are located ventral
to the V. maxillaris externa, but often they
extend to the dorsomedial side of the lat-
ter vein fonning one or two conglomera-
tions of lymph nodes of 2 to 3 cm in
length and 1 \12-2\12 cm. in width.
The accessory mandibular lymph nodes
(Lnn. mandibulares accessorii) (Illust. 1;
and Fig's 1,2,3,4) are found ventral to the
Iowa State University Veterinarian
v. maxillaris externa where the latter vem
terminates into V. jugularis externa. The
lymph nodes are located on the ventro-
lateral side of the M. sternomastoideus and
posterior to the mandibular salivary gland,
being completely covered and partially em-
bedded by the ventral edge of the parotid
salivary gland. Usually there is found an
oval conglomeration of two or four vari-
able sized lymph nodes of 0.5 cm. or 11;2
cm. in length. In one case (out of 25) on
the left side and in 3 cases (out of 25) on
the right side, the latter lymph nodes were
not clearly distinguished from the Lnn.
cervicales ventrales. In these exceptional
cases, the lymph nodes were located ven-
tral to the V. juglaris externa, 1-2 cm. pos-
terior to the termination of the maxillary
veins into the V. jugularis externa, being
situated anterio-medial to the posterior
group of the Lnn. cervicales superficiales
ventrales.
3) The Retropharyngical Lymph Center
(Lc. retropharyngicum)
The lateral retropharyngical lymph
nodes (Lnn. retropharyngici laterales) (11-
lust. 1; and Fig. 1) form a group of 1-2
lymph nodes along the dorsal, posterior
border of the parotid gland; thus, being
situated caudal to the V. auricularis
magna and dorsal to the V. maxillaris in-
terna on the M. brachiocephalicus (M.
cleidomastoideus). Those lymph nodes
are partly or completely covered by the
posterior border of the parotid gland and
often they are not clearly distinguished
from the anterior group of the Lnn. cervi-
cales superficiales ventrales.
The medial retrophanJngical lymph
node (Ln. retropharygicus medialis) (Fig's.
2,3) is found on the dorsolateral side of
the pharynx muscles; located dorsal to the
A. carotis communis, V. jugularis intern a
and the vago-sympathetic trunk. The
lymph node is found just posterior to the
hyoid bone and it extends 2 cm. ventro-
medial to the wing of the atlas, reaching
posteriorly to the lateral side of the M.
longus capitis. Laterally the lymph node
is covered by fat, and the thymus when
present, and by the tendon of the M. ster-
nomastoideus, which structures in turn
are covered laterally by the M. cleidoma-
Issue, No.3, 1962-63
stoideus. Usually the medial retropharyn-
gical lymph node presents an oval con-
glomeration of lymph nodes of 2 to 3 cm.
in length and 1 to 1Y2 cm. in width. Oc-
casionally one or two small lymph nodes
of 0.5 and 1.0 cm. in length may accom-
pany the main node, being situated pos-
teriorly or ventrally to the latter lymph
node.
c) The Lymph Nodes of the Neck
The lymph nodes of the neck form two
lymph centers (Lcc.) of which in swine
the superficial cervical lymph center (Lc.
cervicale superficiale) includes three
lymph node groups (Lnn. cervicales super-
ficiales dorsales, ventrales and medii); and
the deep cervical lymph center (Lc. cervi-
cale profundum) which is composed of
three lymph node groups (Lnn. cervicales
profundi craniales, medii and caudales).
1) The Superficial Cervial Lymph Center
(Lc. cervicale superficiale).
The dorsal superficial cervial lymph
nodes (Lnn. cervicales superficiales dor-
sales) (IlIust. 1; and Fig's. 1,2,3) are situ-
ated craniodorsal to the shoulder joint,
just anterior to the scapular portion of the
deep pectoral muscle, being located on the
M. serratus ventralis. The dorsal third of
the conglomerate of lymph nodes is cov-
ered by the M. trapezius, while the ventral
portion extends under the M. omotrasver-
sarius. Generally there is only one oval
shaped conglomerate lymph node present
of a variable size of 1-4 cm. in length but
occasionally one or two smaller lymph
nodes of 0.5-1 cm. in width are found
ventral to the main group, covered by the
M. omotransversarius.
The ventral superficial cervical lymph
nodes (Lnn. cervicales superficiales ven-
trales) (Illust. 1; Fig's. 1,4) form a row of
lymph nodes on the ventrolateral side of
the M. cleidooccipitalis and on the lateral
side of the M. cleidomastoideus along the
posterior border of the parotid gland. They
represent a chain of lymph nodes extend-
ing from the lateral retropharyngical
lymph nodes caudoventral along the anter-
ior edge of the brachiocephalicus muscle.
Usually the lymph nodes seem to form 2
or 3 groups which may be distinguished as
129
 the cranial, the middle and the caudal
group.
The caudal group was found in all the
cases examined (25 swine) to be the larg-
est compared to the other two groups. It
forms a conglomeration of lymph nodes of
2-3 cm. in length 'and 1-1Y2 cm. in width.
The middle group may be described as
composed of smaller lymph nodes of less
than 0.5 cm. to 1 cm. in size. Occasionally
some of the latter lymph nodes were found
to cover an area dorsally on the M. cleido-
occipitalis reaching up to the dorsal border
of the M. omotransversarius; thus being
located close to the dorsal superficial cervi-
cal lymph nodes.
The cranial group of the ventral super-
ficial cervical lymph nodes were repre-
sented by 2-5 variable sized lymph nodes
of up to 2 cm in length. Quite frequently
they were not clearly distinguished from
the lateral retropharyngical lymph nodes.
The classification of the ventral super-
ficial cervial lymph nodes into the "cran-
ial," "middle" and "caudal" group is rather
empirical but it serves a practical purpose
for describing the afferent and efferent
lymph vessels.
The medial superficial cervical lymph
nodes (Lnn. cerviales superficiales medii)
(Illust. 1; Fig's. 1,2,3,4) may be described
as two inconsistantly found groups of
lymph nodes, of which the first group is
represented by one or two small lymph
nodes varying in size from 0.5 cm. to 1
cm. in length. They were found to fol-
low the course of the V. cervicales ascen-
dens down to the termination of the latter
vein into the V. jugularis externa. Some
of the dorsally located lymph nodes can
not clearly be distinguished from the dor-
sal superficial cervical lymph nodes.
The second group is 'situated dorsal to
the course of the V. jugularis externa,
being covered laterally by the M. cleido-
occipitalis and M. cleido-occipitalis and M.
cleidomastoideus. The lymph nodes can
not always be clearly distinguished anter-
iorly from the ventral superficial cervical
lymph nodes. Usually (34 times of 50
cases) 1 to 3 (seldom 4) small lymph
nodes of less than 0.5 cm. or up to 1.0 cm.
in lengtJh were located anteriorly at the
angle formed by the V. cervicalis ascend-
130
ens and the V. jugularis externa. Occa-
sionally (4 out of 50 cases) some of the
lymph nodes extended caudally along the
dorsal or lateral side of the V. jugularis
externa and thus it becomes difficult to
distinguish the medial superficial cervical
lymph nodes from ·the "split off" lymph
nodes of the Lnn. axillares primate costae.
2) The Deep Cervical Lymph Center (Lc.
cervicale profundum).
The deep lymph nodes of the neck (Lnn.
cervicales profundi) are related to the
trachea !ranging from posterior to the
larynx, downward to the thoracic inlet.
In swine they were relatively small and
inconsistently found and of less import-
ance compared to the numerous and well
developed superficial cervical lymph nodes
in this animal. The deep cervical lymph
nodes form three groups which may be
distinguished as the cranial, middle and
the caudal group.
The cranial deep cervical lymph nodes
(Lnn. cervicales profundi craniales) are
situated in the region between the larynx
and the thyroid on the first and second
tracheal ring, ventral to the V. jugularis
interna. In 17 out of 25 swine examined
these lymph nodes were found to be absent
on both sides of the head. In two cases, 3
lymph nodes of less than 0.5 em. were lo-
cated on the left side and 2 lymph nodes of
0.25 cm. on the right side. In 3 cases,
three lymph nodes were present on the left
side, and 2 lymph nodes on the right side
of varying sizes of less than 0.25 cm. and
up to 0.5 cm. in length. Finally in 2
cases, one lymph node of 0.25 em. was
present on the right side and none were
found on the left side.
The middle deep cervical lymph nodes
(Lnn. cervicales profundi medii) are situ-
ated just dorsal to the thyroid gland, thus
ventrolateral to the trachea in the region
of the latter gland. Of 25 swine examined,
these lymph nodes were found to be absent
in 20 animals and in five cases 1 to 3
lymph nodes of approximately 0.25 cm. in
size were located near the posterior exten-
sion of the thyroid gland.
The caudal deep cervical lymph nodes
(Lnn. cervicales profundi caudales) (Fig.
4) form an unpaired group of lymph nodes
Iowa State University Veterinarian
located posteriorly to the thyroid gland
being situated ventral to the trachea in an
angle fonned by the common jugular
veins. These lymph nodes were found to
be present in all cases examined (25
swine). The caudal deep cervical lymph
nodes present usually a scattered group of
3-8 small lymph nodes of less than 0.25
cm. up to approximately 0.75 cm. in size.
Laterally the lymph nodes were covered by
the thymus. The latter gland when pre-
sent) separates the caudal deep cervical
lymph nodes from the Lnn. axillares pri-
mae costae.
d) Lymph Nodes of the Thoracic Limb.
1) Lnn. axillares primae costae
In swine there are no lymph nodes
found on the "free" thoracic limb. The
Lnn. axillares primae costae (Illust. 1;
Fig's. 3,4) fonn a conglomerate of small
lymph nodes located anterior to the first
rib, and lateral to the thymus, and ventral
to the axillary veins. The term given for
these lymph nodes appears to be too long
and thus the term Lnn. costoaxillares is
suggested, (Cos to-axillary lymph nodes).
The size of the conglomerate of these
lymph nodes varies from 1.0 to 2.5 cm. in
length and occasionally one or two smaller
lymph nodes of 0.5 em. or less in size may
be found anteriorly to the main group,
along the lateral or ventral side of theV.
jugularis externa. Thus, it is sometimes
difficult to distinguish the latter lymph
nodes from the Lnn. cervicales superfi-
ciales medii of which some may be situ-
ated near (around) the termination of the
V. cervicalis aseendens. Sometimes, the
latter the lymph nodes can not be distin-
guished clearly from the Lnn. cervicales
profundi caudales. This is especially true
in older animals in which the thymus has
been reduced in size.
V. Summary
The terminology and the descriptive in-
formation of the lymph nodes of the head,
neck and shoulder region of swine were re-
viewed, compared and evaluated in 24
publications, and were arranged in 4
tables in chronological order, dated from
1871 to 1960.
It was found that a great variety of syn-
Issue, No.3, 1962-63
onyms and controversies were present. The
research papers dealing with the lymph
flow were based mainly on tenninology
introduced by Baum (1929).
In this report only the location of the
lymph nodes was described and illustrated
by one drawing and 4 photographs. An
article to follow will describe the experi-
ments conducted to date on the lymph
flow in the living (anesthetized) swine.
REFERENCES
1. Baum, H.: Betrachtungen liber die Arbeit Vun
Postma "Oas Lymphgefass.System des Sehwein-
es." Z. f. Fleisch- u. Milchhyg., 39, (January 15,
1929): 133-140.
2. Baum, H. und Grau, H.: Oas Lymphgefass-Sys-
tern des Schweines. Verlagsbuchhandlung Paul
Parey, Berlin, (1938): 15-52.
3. Castor, T.: In: Edelmann. R.: Text-Book of
Meat Hygiene, Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia
(1939) :60.
4. Chauveau, A.: The Comparative Anatomy of the
Domesticated Animals, 2. English edit., D. Ap-
pleton and Company, New-York, (1902): 713-724.
5. Egehoj, J.: Untersuchungen tiber das VerhaJten
einiger Lymphknoten am Kopf und am Halse des
Schweines, Deutsche Tierarztl. Wschr. 44, (April
11, and April 25, 1936) :287-289; 319-322.
6. Egehoj, J.: Das Lymphgefass-System des Seh-
weines, Z. f. Flcisch- u. Milchhyg., 47, (May 1,
1937): 293-298.
7. Ellenberger, W. und Baum, H.: Handbuch der
verglcichenden Anatomic der Haustiere, 13. and
14. edit., Verlag August Hirschwald, Berlin,
(1908):762-773, and (1915):725-753.
8. Franck. Ludw.: Handbuch der Anatomie der
Hausthiere. Verlag von Eber & Seubert, Stuttgart,
1871.
9. Grau, H.: Oas Lymphgefass-System, In. Ellen-
berger-Baum, Handbuch der vergl. Anatomie der
Haustiere, 18. edit., Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
(1943): 746-808.
10. Grau, H. und Boessneck, .T.: Der Lymphapparat.
In: Ktikenthal, W.: Handbuch der Zoologic; 8.
Band/25. Lieferung. WaJter de Gruyter & Co.;
Berlin, (1960): 1-74.
11. Gregor, P.: Lymphknoten und Lymphbahnen am
Kopf und Hals des Schweincs. Inaug. Disserta-
tion. Berlin, 1914 (Cited in Postma, C., 1928).
12. Jossifow, J. M.: Das Lvmphgefass-System des
Schweines, Anat. Anz., Vol. 75, (November 7,
1932):91-104.
13. KJimow, A. i. Akajewski, A.: Anatomija Domas-
zich Ziwotnych, Vol. 2., Gosundarstwiennoje
Izdatielstwo Sjelskochozjastwiennoj Literatury,
Moskwa, 1950.
14. Leighton, G.: The Principles and Practice of
Meat Inspection. William Hodge and Company,
Edinburgh and London, (1927): 142-153.
15. Martin. P.: Lehrbuch der Anatomie der Haus-
tiere. 4. Band. Verlag von Schickhardt & Ebner,
Stuttgart, (1923): 95-97.
16. Miller, A. R.: Meat Hvgiene. 2. edit., Lea & Fe-
biger. Philadelphia, (1958) :53-75.
17. Montane et Bourdelle: Anatomie Regionale des
Animaux Domcstiques. III, Pore. Librairie J.-B.
Baillicrc et Fils. Paris, (1920):112, 142, 184.
18. Most, A.: Zur Darstellung der Chylusgefa.se in
vivo, Anat. Anz., Vol. 64, (November 2, 1927):
119-128.
19. von Ostertag, R.: Handbook of Meat Inspection.
William R. Jenkins, New York, (1904): 177-181.
20. von Ostertag, R.: Lehrbuch der Schlaehtvieh- und
Flcischbeschau, F. Enke Verlag, Stuttgart,
(1932):242-272, and (1955):233-265.
21. von Ostertag, R.: Textbook of Meat Inspection.
Bailliere, Tindall and Cox, London, (1934): 52-
84.
22. Postma, C.: tiber das Lymphgefass-System an
Kopf, Hals und Schulter beim Schwein. Z. f.
Fleisch-u. Milchhyg., Vol. 38, (October I, 1927):
1-2.
23. Postma, C.: Das Lymphgcfass-System des Sch-
weines. Z. f. Fleisch- u. Milchhyg., Vol. 38, (July
15, 1928):354-362.
24. Saar, L. 1. and Getty, R.: The Lymphatic Sys-
i4~lJl~·U. Veterinarian, Vol. 24, No.3, (1952):-
131
25. Saar, L. I. and Getty, R.: Nomenclature of the
Lymph Apparatus. I.S. U. Veterinarian, Vol. 25,
No.1, (1962): 23-29.
26. Sisson, S. : The Anatomy of the Domestic Ani-
mals. 2 . edit. W. B. Saunders Company, Phila-
delphia and London, (1914):740-742.
27. Sisson-Grossman: Anatomy of the Demestic Ani-
mals. 4. edit., Press of W . B. Saunders Company,
Philadelphia. (1953) : 760-762.
28. Spira. Anneliese: Die Lymphknotengruppen (Lym-
phocentra) bei den Saugern-ein Homologisier-
ungsversuch. Inaug. Dissertation. Miichen. 1961.
29. St. Clair, L. E.: Lymphatic Svstem. In : Dunne' s,
"Diseases of Swine." Iowa State College Press,
Ames, Iowa, (1958):28-31.
30. Thornton, H.: Textbook of Meat Inspection. Bail-
liere, Tindall and Cox, London, (1949): 96-99 and
(1957): 95-98 .
31. Titze, C.: Lage und Wurzelgebiete der Fleisch-
lymphknoten beim Rinde und Schweine, Z . f .
Fleisch- u. Milchhyg., Vol. 24, (September 1,
1914) :525-529.
32. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C .•
Circular No. 866 : The Lymph Glands of Cattle,
Hogs and Sheep, (January 1951) :2-14.
33. Zietzschmann, 0.: Das Lymphsystem. In :
Schonberg. F. und Zietzschmann, D.: Die Aus-
fiihrung der tierarztlichen Fleischuntersuchung,
Paul Parey, Berlin und Hamburg, (1958): 1-30.

Legends (or figures I thru 4.

Lymph nodes: I. Mandibular, 2. parotid, 3. accessory mandibular, 4. lateral retropharyngical, 5. ven-

tral superficial cervical, 6. medial retropharyngical, 7. dorsal superficial cervical, 8. medial superficial cer-
vical, 9. caudal deep cervical, 10. axillares primae costae (costo·axillary).

lUl/sdes: A. masseter, n. brachiocephalieus, C. trapezius, D. omotransversarius, E. deep pectoral (seal"

ular portion), F. omohyoideus, G. sternomastoideus, H. sternohyoideus, 1. scalenus primae costate, ]. ser-
ratus ventralis, K. scalenus supraeostalis, L. sternothyroideus (ventral portion), M. sternothyroideus (dor-
sal portion), N. hyothyroideus, O. deep pectoral (humeral portion).

Other structures: n. masseteric vein (v.); b. transverse facial v.; c. superficial temporal v.; d. cut por·
tion o( the parotill gland; e. great auricular v.; f. internal maxillary v.; g. mandibular, gland; It. extemal
maxillary v.; i. external jugular v.; k. ascending cervical v.; m. cephalic hlllneral v.; n. suprascapular v.;
o. subscapular v.; p. brachial v.; q. external thoracic v.; r. first rib; .f. internal thoracic v.; t. thyroid gland;
II. thymus; v. cricoid cartilage; w. thyroid cartilage; x. proximal end of the humerus; y. inter·tuberal groove.

Figure No. I: (Left side) Lateral view of the head, neck region. The cutaneous muscles, fat and the paro·
tid gland have been removed.

132 Iowa State University Veterinarian

Figure No.2: (Left side) The brachiocephalic muscle and the lateral retropharyngical and the ventral su-
perficial cervical lymph nodes have been removed.

Figure ~o. 3: (Left side) Lateral "iew of the head, neck and shoulder region. The thoracic limb has been
removed.

Issue, No.3, 1962-63 133

Figure No.4: (Ventral view) The cervical region is dissected to illustrate the "deeper structures" from
the larynx to the first rib.

o/ l.rW\.~lIIttfolK
./
"" ..M dIldoot_.....
"" ",,\M~
"" /'
./
./
,"' .... _-',....,.
./ '" ",'" l.M ~ Mlll4f6clalft dOr1IGI-.
", ,,'"
,,' ~~sor ...
""
/' "" ""Ill pee_all proflMldullllon ~
0/
"I.-..-coIIa ...-rt- _
/
// ,,'!/----~
;
./

IIIlctacl.hlwel

Illustration No.1: Lateral view of the head, neck region (left side). The cutaneous muscles have been re-
moved.

134 Iowa State University Veterinarian