Lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes

The topography of the lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes varies from species to species. They are located at the ventral edge of the atlas wing, against the dorsal edge of the mandibular gland, below the base of the ear.

Together with the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes, they drain all the deep planes of the head (including the pharynx, the base of the tongue, the tonsils, the caudal part of the nasal cavities) and the cranial part of the neck.

Variations :

Dog: present in 1 in 3 dogs.

Cat: rarely absent.

Horse: superficial, 8 to 15 in number, forming a trail along the caudal edge of the guttural pouch, beneath the caudal part of the mandibular gland. They drain the guttural pouches.

Cow: superficial, single, oval and flattened, palpable under the edge of the atlas wing, at the caudal edge of the mandibular gland.