retropharyngeal lymph nodes

{{Infobox lymph

| Name = Retropharyngeal lymph nodes

| Latin = nodi lymphoidei retropharyngei

| Image = Illu quiz hn 03.jpg

| Caption = 1: Submental lymph nodes
2: Submandibular lymph nodes
3: Supraclavicular lymph nodes
4: Retropharyngeal lymph nodes
5: Buccal lymph nodes
6: Superficial cervical lymph nodes
7: Jugular lymph nodes
8: Parotid lymph nodes
9: Retroauricular lymph nodes and occipital lymph nodes

| Image2 = Gray603.png

| Caption2 = Lymphatics of pharynx. (Retropharyngeal lymph nodes labeled at center top.)

| DrainsFrom =

| Source =

| DrainsTo = Superior deep cervical lymph nodes

}}

The retropharyngeal lymph nodes, from one to three in number, lie in the buccopharyngeal fascia, behind the upper part of the pharynx and in front of the arch of the atlas, being separated, however, from the latter by the longus capitis.

Their afferents drain the nasal cavities, the nasal part of the pharynx, and the auditory tubes.

Their efferents pass to the superior deep cervical lymph nodes.

They are in the retropharyngeal space.{{cite journal |author=Chong VF, Fan YF |title=Radiology of the retropharyngeal space |journal=Clin Radiol |volume=55 |issue=10 |pages=740–8 |date=October 2000 |pmid=11052873 |doi=10.1053/crad.2000.0510 }}

They frequently disappear by age 4-5.{{cite book|author1=Jill M. Baren|author2=Steven G. Rothrock|title=Pediatric emergency medicine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wpvux6RS-jsC&pg=PA306|access-date=26 May 2010|date=15 October 2007|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-1-4160-0087-7|pages=306–}} (This is why retropharyngeal abscess is rare in older children.)