Lymphatics of Thoracic Limb

Question 1

Superficial Cervical Lymph Node

Answer 1

• constant
• palpable
• “superficial set”
• Location: cranial to shoulder joint, covered by Brachiocephalicus M. and Omotransversarius M.
• Afferent lymph vessels: most of thoracic limb, except medial side of arm, forearm, and shoulder
• Also drain skin of caudal portion of head, part of ear, and lateral surface of neck
• Efferent lymph vessels:
  
  • Thoracic Duct
  • Right Tracheal Trunk
  • External Jugular Vein

Question 2

Axillary Lymph Node

Answer 2

• constant
• not palpable
• “deep set”
• Location: caudal to shoulder joint, ventral to the thoracodorsal vessels, at distal part of teres major muscle
• Afferent lymph vessels:
  
  • 1st 3 mammary glands
  • Skin of shoulder and arm
  • All bones (except digits)
  • Humeral, cubital, and carpal joints
  • muscles of thoracic limb
  • accessory axillary lymph node
• Efferent lymph vessels:
  
  • external jugular vein (most typ. way)
• Thoracic duct
• Left and Right tracheal trunk

Question 3

Accessory axillary lymph node

Answer 3

• Inconstant
• Should be palable
• Location: ventral to latissimus dorsi M.; dorsal to deep pectoral M.; and in the 2nd and 3rd intercostal space
• Afferent lymph vessels:
  
  • 1st 3 mammary glands
  • Skin of lateral and ventral thoracic wall
  • lateral and medial regions of shoulder, arm, and elbow
• Efferent lymph vessels
  
  • Axillary lymph node