60. Oesophagus - lymphatic drainage Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic drainage means how waste fluids, immune cells, and extra fluid from tissues are carried away by tiny vessels called lymphatic vessels, leading to lymph nodes that filter the fluid.
Why does the oesophagus need lymphatic drainage?
To remove waste fluids and help fight infections by sending immune cells and harmful particles to nearby lymph nodes for cleaning.
Where does the lymph from the upper oesophagus (neck region) drain?
It drains to the deep cervical lymph nodes — lymph nodes located deep in the neck, along the internal jugular vein.
✅ These nodes filter fluid from the upper part of the oesophagus.
Where does the lymph from the middle oesophagus (chest region) drain?
It drains to the posterior mediastinal lymph nodes — lymph nodes located behind the heart, in the middle of the chest.
✅ These nodes filter lymph coming from the middle part of the oesophagus.
Where does the lymph from the lower oesophagus (near the stomach) drain?
It drains first to the left gastric lymph nodes (near the lesser curvature of the stomach), and then flows to the celiac lymph nodes (near the celiac trunk artery).
✅ These nodes filter lymph before it enters deeper abdominal lymph pathways.
Why is oesophageal lymphatic drainage clinically important?
Because cancer cells or infections from the oesophagus can spread through lymphatic vessels to lymph nodes in the neck, chest, and abdomen.
How is oesophageal lymphatic drainage organized?
It follows a segmental pattern:
Upper → drains upward to deep cervical nodes
Middle → drains backward to posterior mediastinal nodes
Lower → drains downward to left gastric and celiac nodes
What happens if lymph drainage is blocked?
Fluid may build up, and cancer or infection might spread more easily to other tissues.
Can lymph from the oesophagus drain in more than one direction?
Yes! Lymphatic vessels in the oesophagus can drain upward or downward, which explains why cancers can spread both to neck and abdominal lymph nodes.
Why are celiac lymph nodes important in oesophageal drainage?
Because they are the final filtering station for lymph from the lower oesophagus before the lymph enters the thoracic duct and returns to the bloodstream.
What is the main pathway of lymph drainage from the oesophagus to the bloodstream?
Most lymph from the oesophagus ultimately drains into the thoracic duct, which empties lymph into the venous system at the junction of the left subclavian and internal jugular veins.
Why can oesophageal cancer spread early through lymphatics?
Because the oesophagus has a rich and interconnected lymphatic network that allows cancer cells to spread upward and downward across different regions.
Are there lymphatic vessels in the mucosa of the oesophagus?
Yes — lymphatic vessels are present in the lamina propria and submucosa, allowing drainage of superficial tissues into deeper lymphatic pathways.
Do lymphatic vessels in the oesophagus cross midline?
Yes — lymphatic vessels can cross from one side to the other, meaning cancer or infection can spread to lymph nodes on both sides of the body.
Does lymph from the oesophagus drain directly to superficial lymph nodes?
No — lymph from the oesophagus drains to deep lymph nodes (deep cervical, posterior mediastinal, left gastric), not to superficial nodes.
Is lymphatic drainage pattern the same on the left and right sides of the oesophagus?
Mostly similar, but some small differences exist in how lymph drains into thoracic duct (left) versus right lymphatic duct (right side, upper region).
Do the lymphatic vessels in the oesophagus have valves?
Yes — lymphatic vessels have valves to ensure one-way flow of lymph toward the lymph nodes.
