The deep cervical lymph nodes are a group of cervical lymph nodes in the neck[1] that form a chain along the internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath.

[5][6] The deep cervical lymph nodes are contained in the carotid sheath in the neck, close to the internal jugular vein.

[8][9] All lymphatic vessels of the head and neck ultimately drain to the deep cervical lymph nodes - either by way of other lymph nodes or directly from tissues.

[4] CNS lymphatic vessels have been found to drain to the deep cervical lymph nodes in a 2016 animal study.

[10] Efferents of the deep cervical lymph nodes form the ipsilateral jugular trunk.