Final answer:
The preauricular lymph node drains lymph from the ear and external auditory canal, amongst other areas of the face and scalp in proximity to the ear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preauricular lymph node primarily drains lymph from regions of the face adjacent to the ear. This includes lymph from the ear and the external auditory canal. Lymphatic vessels serve as pathways for the immune cells and the lymph fluid to travel from peripheral tissues to the lymph nodes, where they can be filtered and immune responses can be initiated if necessary. This node is thus important in the immune surveillance of the structures it drains, including the aforementioned ear and auditory canal as well as areas of the scalp and face close to the ear.