The inferior deep cervical lymph nodes are one of the two groups of the

deep cervical lymph nodes The deep cervical lymph nodes are a group of cervical lymph nodes in the neck that form a chain along the internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath. Structure Classification The deep cervical lymph nodes are subdivided into a superior ...

(the other being the superior deep cervical lymph nodes). They are situated partial deep to the

sternocleidomastoid muscle The sternocleidomastoid muscle is one of the largest and most superficial cervical muscles. The primary actions of the muscle are rotation of the head to the opposite side and Anatomical terms of motion#Flexion and extension, flexion of the neck. ...

. They are closely related to the inferior portion of

internal jugular vein The internal jugular vein is a paired jugular vein that collects blood from the brain and the superficial parts of the face and neck. This vein runs in the carotid sheath with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve. It begins in the posteri ...

; some are also closely related to the

brachial plexus The brachial plexus is a network of nerves (nerve plexus) formed by the anterior rami of the lower four Spinal nerve#Cervical nerves, cervical nerves and first Spinal nerve#Thoracic nerves, thoracic nerve (cervical spinal nerve 5, C5, Cervical spi ...

, and the

subclavian artery In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are paired major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle. They receive blood from the aortic arch. The left subclavian artery supplies blood to the left arm and the right subclavian artery suppli ...

and

subclavian vein The subclavian vein is a paired large vein, one on either side of the body, that is responsible for draining blood from the upper extremities, allowing this blood to return to the heart. The left subclavian vein plays a key role in the absorption ...

(those situated in the supraclavicular triangle - beyond the posterior margin of the

). Some superior deep cervical lymph nodes drain to the inferior deep cervical lymph nodes. The inferior deep cervical lymph nodes drain to the jugular lymph trunk.

References

Lymphatics of the head and neck {{Portal bar, Anatomy