Lymph Vessels of the Mucous Membrane of the Free Floor of the Oral Cavity

Some of the lymph vessels of the mucous membrane of the free floor of the oral cavity drain to the mandibular lymph nodes, whereas others drain into the medial retropharyngeal lymph node. The lymph vessels that drain to the mandibular lymph nodes (1 to 2 small vessels) penetrate the M. mylohyoideus, reaching its outer surface, and from there travel directly into the mandibular lymph nodes. The lymph vessels that drain to the medial retropharyngeal lymph node (also 1 to 2 small vessels) join those of the tip of the tongue and pass between the M. geniohyoideus and M. genioglossus towards the medial side of the M. mylohyoideus, running along it to the medial retropharyngeal lymph node.