Occipital lymph node is located where?

• A. In front of the ear
• B. Along the anterior edge of the trapezius
• C. Deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
• D. At the base of the skull posteriorly

Answer: (D)

The primary idea here is the regional grouping of scalp and neck lymph nodes and their typical landmarks. Occipital lymph nodes are located in the posterior scalp at the base of the skull, near the occipital bone, along the course of the occipital artery. This position makes them palpable as small nodes just behind and at the base of the head. They drain the posterior aspect of the scalp and send lymph to the deep cervical nodes along the internal jugular vein.

This distinguishes them from nodes in other regions: those in front of the ear are preauricular, nodes along the anterior edge of the trapezius are part of the posterior cervical region in the lower neck, and nodes deep to the sternocleidomastoid are deeper cervical nodes along the jugular chain. The occipital group sits specifically at the base of the skull, posteriorly.