Lymphatic Drainage of the Upper Limb Flashcards
What does the lymphatic system function to do?
Drain tissue fluid, plasma proteins and other cellular debris back into the blood stream. Involved in immune defence
What is the collection of substances known as once it’s entered the lymphatic vessels?
Lymph
What happens to lymph?
It is filtered by lymph nodes and directed into the venous system
What do the superficial lymphatic vessels of the upper limb arise from?
Initially the lymphatic plexuses in the skin of the hand
What are lymphatic plexuses?
Networks of lymphatic capillaries beginning in the extracellular spaces
Where to the superficial lymphatic vessels of the arm ascend?
Up the arm, in close proximity to the major superficial veins
Where do the vessels shadowing the basilic vein go?
They enter the cubital lymph nodes
Where are the cubital lymph nodes found?
Medially to the vein, and proximally to the medial epicondyle of the humerus
What happens to vessels carrying on from the cubital lymph nodes?
They continue up the arm, terminating in the lateral axillary lymph nodes
Where do the vessels shadowing the cephalic vein go?
Generally, they cross the proximal part of the arm and shoulder to enter the apical axially lymph nodes, though some exceptions instead enter the more superficial deltopectoral lymph nodes
What do the deep lymphatic vessels of the upper limb follow?
The major deep veins- radial, ulnar and brachial
How do the deep lymphatic vessels of the upper limb terminate?
In the humeral axillary lymph nodes
What do the deep lymphatic vessels of the upper limb function to do?
Drain lymph from joint capsules, periosteum, tendons and muscles
Where may some additional lymph nodes be found?
Along the ascending path of deep vessels
Where are the majority of upper lymph nodes located?
In the axilla
What groups can the axillary lymph nodes be divided into?
Pectoral (anterior) Subscapular (posterior) Humeral (lateral) Central Apical
How many pectoral lymph nodes are there?
03-May