#Axillary lymph nodes #Dr. Jimmy
Lymphatics All lymphatics from the upper limb drain into lymph nodes in the axilla. In addition, axillary nodes receive drainage from an extensive area on the adjacent trunk, which includes regions of the upper back and shoulder, the lower neck, the chest, and the upper anterolateral abdominal wall. Axillary nodes also receive drainage from approximately 75% of the mammary gland. The 20-30 axillary nodes are generally divided into five groups on the basis of location. • Humeral (lateral) nodes posteromedial to the axillary vein receive most of the lymphatic drainage from the upper limb. • Pectoral (anterior) nodes occur along the inferior margin of the pectoralis minor muscle along the course of the lateral thoracic vessels and receive drainage from the abdominal wall, the chest, and the mammary gland. • Subscapular (posterior) nodes on the posterior axillary wall in association with the subscapular vessels drain the posterior axillary wall and receive lymphatics from the back, the shoulder, and the neck. • Central nodes are embedded in axillary fat and receive tributaries from humeral, subscapular, and pectoral groups of nodes. • Apical nodes are the most superior group of nodes in the axilla and drain all other groups of nodes in the region. In addition, they receive lymphatic vessels that accompany the cephalic vein as well as vessels that drain the superior region of the mammary gland. Efferent vessels from the apical group converge to form the subclavian trunk, which usually joins the venous system at the junction between the right subclavian vein and the right internal jugular vein in the neck. On the left, the subclavian trunk usually joins the thoracic duct in the base of the neck.
Lymphatics All lymphatics from the upper limb drain into lymph nodes in the axilla. In addition, axillary nodes receive drainage from an extensive area on the adjacent trunk, which includes regions of the upper back and shoulder, the lower neck, the chest, and the upper anterolateral abdominal wall. Axillary nodes also receive drainage from approximately 75% of the mammary gland. The 20-30 axillary nodes are generally divided into five groups on the basis of location. • Humeral (lateral) nodes posteromedial to the axillary vein receive most of the lymphatic drainage from the upper limb. • Pectoral (anterior) nodes occur along the inferior margin of the pectoralis minor muscle along the course of the lateral thoracic vessels and receive drainage from the abdominal wall, the chest, and the mammary gland. • Subscapular (posterior) nodes on the posterior axillary wall in association with the subscapular vessels drain the posterior axillary wall and receive lymphatics from the back, the shoulder, and the neck. • Central nodes are embedded in axillary fat and receive tributaries from humeral, subscapular, and pectoral groups of nodes. • Apical nodes are the most superior group of nodes in the axilla and drain all other groups of nodes in the region. In addition, they receive lymphatic vessels that accompany the cephalic vein as well as vessels that drain the superior region of the mammary gland. Efferent vessels from the apical group converge to form the subclavian trunk, which usually joins the venous system at the junction between the right subclavian vein and the right internal jugular vein in the neck. On the left, the subclavian trunk usually joins the thoracic duct in the base of the neck.