anatomy as well as clinical significance of lymph nodes

1. P R E P A R E D B Y
P B L G R O U P - 6
ARRANGEMENT OF
AXILLARY LYMPH NODES

2. OBJECTIVES
Introduction of Axillary lymph nodes
Arrangement of Axillary lymph nodes
Area of drainage of Axillary lymph nodes
Applied aspect of Axillary lymph nodes
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3. Axillary Lymph Node
Also called armpit lymph nodes
20-30 in number
Drain lymph vessels from
the lateral quadrant of the breast
the superficial lymph vessels from the walls of
the chest and the abdomen above the level of the
navel
the vessels from the upper limb
•Significant in breast cancer and metastasis
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4. Arrangement of Axillary Lymph Nodes 4
• Arranged in five principal
groups;
1.Pectoral(Anterior)
2.Subscapular
(posterior)
3.Humeral(Lateral)
4.Central
5.Apical nodes.
• Arranged in a manner that
reflects the pyramidal
shape of axilla.

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6. Pectoral nodes
 Consists of 3 to 5 nodes
Lie along the medial wall of axilla, around lateral
thoracic vein
Along the inferior margin of pectoralis minor
Receive drainage from anterior thoracic wall, chest,
superolateral quadrant of mammary gland and
subareolar plexus.
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7. Sub-scapular nodes
Also called posterior nodes
Consists of 6 or 7 nodes
Lies along the posterior axillary fold and sub-scapular
blood vessels.
Drain from the posterior axillary wall, back, shoulder
and the neck.
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8. Humeral nodes
Also called lateral nodes
Consists of 4 to 6 nodes
 Lies along the lateral wall of axilla posteromedial to
axillary vein.
Drain mostly from the upper limb,
Except the lymphatic vessels accompanying the
cephalic vein.
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9. Central nodes
Consists of 3 or 4 nodes.
Situated deep to the pectoralis minor near the base of
axilla, associated with second part of the axillary
artery.
Embedded in axillary fat.
Efferent lymphatic vessel from previous three groups
passes to the central node.
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10. Apical nodes
Located at the apex of axilla
Along the medial side of axillary vein and first part of
axillary artery.
Efferent vessel from central nodes pass to apical
nodes
Converge to form subclavian lymphatic trunk which
joins to
 The venous system at the junction between
right subclavian vein and right internal
jugular vein in the neck.
 The thoracic duct in the base of the neck on
the left
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11. APPLIED ASPECT
• Lymphangitis
• Inflammation of wall of lymphatic vessels
• Condition in which axillary nodes enlarge and
become tender and inflamed
• Development of warm, red, tender streaks in the
skin of limb
• Caused due to enlargement of nodes due to
infection in the pectoral region and breast
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12. LYMPHADENITIS
• Inflammation or enlargement of a lymph
node
• Can occur due to multiplication of cells
within node, drainage infection, infiltration
of cells outside the node like neutrophils or
malignant cells
• Occurs alone or in association with
lymphangitis
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13. DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST CANCER
• 75% of lymph from the breasts drains into the
axillary lymph nodes
• Dissection of axillary lymph nodes to see if the
cancer cells have been trapped in the nodes.
• If cancer cells are found in the nodes it increases
the risk of metastatic breast cancer.
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14. LYMPHEDEMA
• occurs when too much lymph collects in
any area of the body.
• commonly caused by the removal of or
damage to lymph nodes as a part of cancer
treatment
• results from a blockage in lymphatic
system
• The blockage prevents lymph fluid from
draining well, and the fluid buildup leads
to swelling
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15. REFERENCES
• Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy Seventh Edition
Keith L. Moore, Arthur F. Dalley, Anne M.R. Agur
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
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16. THANK YOU
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