The parotid lymph nodes lie on and within the parotid gland in front of the ear. The superficial (preauricular) nodes sit just in front of the tragus, and deeper nodes are embedded in the gland itself. They drain a wide area of the face and scalp.
| Location | In front of the tragus (preauricular) and within the substance of the parotid gland (intraparotid) |
|---|---|
| Receives lymph from |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
Filter lymph from the upper and lateral face, eyelids, ear and scalp.
Preauricular nodes enlarge with eye infections, notably viral and adenoviral conjunctivitis and Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome. Skin cancers of the temple, forehead, eyelids and ear commonly spread to these nodes, sometimes requiring parotidectomy. A parotid lump may be a node rather than a primary gland tumour.
Enlarged nodes in front of the ear, a common sign of viral conjunctivitis and other eye or scalp infections.
Spread of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma from the face, scalp or ear to intraparotid nodes.
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