Table 1.

Common patterns of lymph node metastasis in the head and neck

Nodal group	Primary tumor sites
Level IA (submental)	Anterior oral cavity, lower lip
Level IB (submandibular)	Oral cavity, anterior nasal cavity, submandibular gland, midfacial face skin
Level II (upper jugular)	Oropharynx, oral cavity, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, larynx, hypopharynx
Level III (mid jugular)	Oropharynx, oral cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, hypopharynx
Level IV (lower jugular)	Oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, upper esophagus, thyroid
Level V (posterior triangle)	Nasopharynx, posterior scalp skin, thyroid
Level VI (anterior compartment)	Thyroid, larynx, hypopharynx, upper esophagus
Supraclavicular	Non-head and neck, thyroid
Retropharyngeal	Nasopharynx, posterior pharynx
Parotid	Lateral/upper facial and scalp skin, parotid gland