Maxillary Sinus. Lymphatic involvement occurs late, despite extensive disease. The submaxillary node is usually the first (often the only) node invaded and it is the sentinel node. The major lymphatic drainage of the maxillary antrum is through the lateral and inferior collecting trunks to the first station submaxillary, parotid, and jugulodigastric nodes, and via the superoposterior trunk to the retropharyngeal and deep cervical nodes.