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
Where are the pectoral lymph nodes located?
In the medial wall of the axilla
Where do the pectoral lymph nodes receive lymph from?
Primarily the anterior thoracic wall, including most of the breast
How man subscapular lymph nodes are there?
06-Jul
Where are the subscapular lymph nodes located?
Along the posterior axillary fold and subscapular blood vessels
Where do subscapular lymph nodes receive lymph from?
The posterior thoracic wall and scapular region
How many humeral lymph nodes are there?
04-Jun
Where are the humeral lymph nodes located?
In the lateral wall of the axilla, posterior to the axillary vein
