Parotid Lymph Node

The parotid lymph node lies on the caudal border of the masseter cranial to the base of the ear, under the rostrodorsal border of the parotid gland. It drains superficial structures such as, broadly, those dorsal to the palate and the ear, including the eyelids and associated glands and the temporomandibular joint. Its efferents drain to the medial retropharyngeal lymph node. The parotid lymph node is not always palpable.