Lymph Drainage of Limbs Flashcards
where do axillary lymph nodes receive drainage from?
- upper limb
- adjacent shoulder and neck regions
- breast
- post. and ant. thoracic wall
- ant. wall (above umbilicus)
- skin of back (above iliac crests)
what are the 5 groups of axillary lymph nodes?
- lateral (humeral)
- anterior (pectoral)
- posterior (subscapular)
- central
- apical
to which lymph nodes does the anterior thoracic wall and breast drain?
anterior (pectoral)
where is the lateral lymph node located?
lateral wall of axilla, medial and posterior to axillary vein
where is the anterior lymph node located?
medial wall of axilla near inf. border of pec. minor
where is the posterior lymph node located?
posterior axillary fold
where is the central lymph node located?
deep to pec. minor within axilla
where is the apical lymph node located?
apex of axilla
why is breast cancer most likely to metastasise to anterior (pectoral) lymph nodes?
- 75% of lymph from breast/mammary gland drains there
- palpation of these nodes common in breast exams
what care must be taken when breast cancer in nodes is biopsied or removed?
care not to damage long thoracic nerve - damage results in ‘winged’ scapula
where do lateral/humeral nodes receive lymph from??
majority of upper limb (except cephalic vessels)
where do anterior/pectoral nodes receive lymph from?
anterior thoracic wall and breast
where do posterior/subscapular nodes receive lymph from?
posterior thoracic wall and scapula
where do central nodes receive lymph from?
- lateral/humeral nodes
- ant./pectoral nodes
- post./ subscapular nodes
where do apical nodes receive lymph from?
- central nodes
- cephalic vessels
