occipital lymph nodes occipital lymph nodes the occipital lymph nodes, one to three in number, are located on the back of the head close to the margin of the trapezius and resting on the insertion of the semispinalis capitis. occipital lymph nodessuperficial lymph glands and lymphatic vessels of head and neck. (occipital glands labeled at center left.)lymph nodes at surface: 1. occipital (retroauricular) 2. mastoid 3. superficial parotid 4. deep parotid 5. preauricular 6. infra-auricular 7. intraglandular parotid facial lymph nodes: 8. buccinator 9. nasolabial 10. mandibular 11. anterior cervical (superficial jugular) 12. superficial cervical (external jugular) detailssystemlymphatic systemdrains fromscalp, occiputidentifierslatinnodi lymphoidei occipitalesfma61214anatomical terminology their afferent vessels drain the occipital region of the scalp, while their efferents pass to the superior deep cervical glands. additional images etymology the word occipital comes from the latin: occiput ("the back of the head").