Lymphatics of Thorax

Question 1

What is the superifical lymphatic drainage of thoracic wall?

Answer 1

• to axillary LNs

Question 2

What is the deep lymphatic drainage of thoracic wall?

Answer 2

• to posterior intercostal, phrenic and parasternal LNs

Question 3

Where do the parsternal LNs run?

Answer 3

• parallel to sternum and adjacent to internal thoracic blood vessesls

Question 4

Average number of parasternal LNs on each side of sternum?

Answer 4

• 4 to 5

Question 5

What are the afferent vessels of the parasternal LNs?

Answer 5

1. anterior phrenic LNs
2. anterior thoracic wall
3. medial half of breast

Question 6

What is the efferent vessels of the parasternal LNs?

Answer 6

• travel to bronchomediastinal trunk

Question 7

Where are the posterior intercostal LN’s located?

Answer 7

• in paravertebral region of intercostal spaces

Question 8

What are the efferent vessels of the posterior intercostal LNs?

Answer 8

• superior to 4-5 intercostal spaces to posterior mediastinal LNs
• inferior 6-7 intercostal spaces to inferior intercostal trunks

Question 9

Where do the phrenic LN’s located?

Answer 9

• lie on superior surface of thoracic diaphragm

Question 10

What are the two divisions of the phrenic LNs?

Answer 10

1. anterior phrenic

2. posterior phrenic

Question 11

Where are the brachiocephalic LNs located?

Answer 11

• in superior mediastinum anterior to confluence of superior vena cava and aortic arch

Question 12

Where do the efferent vessels of brachiocephalic LNs drain?

Answer 12

• to pretracheal LNs

Question 13

What are the afferent vessels of the posterior mediastinal LNs?

Answer 13

• posterior phrenic LNs and superior 4-5 posterior intercostal LNs

Question 14

What are the efferent vessels of the posterior mediastinal LNs?

Answer 14

• thoracic duct
• bronchomediastinal trunk
• bronchotracheal LNs

Question 15

What are the 2 lymphatic plexus of the lungs?

Answer 15

1. superficial lymphatic plexus

2. deep lymphatic plexus

Question 16

What is the location of superficial lymphatic plexus?

Answer 16

• in visceral pleura

Question 17

What is the location of deep lymphatic plexus?

Answer 17

• surround intrapulmonary blood vessels and parts of bronchial tree

Question 18

What are the LNs of lungs?

Answer 18

1. hilar LNs
2. pulmonary LNs
3. superior bronchotracheal
4. paratracheal LNs

Question 19

What are the two afferent vessels pathways to the hilar LNs?

Answer 19

1. superficial lymphatic plexus –> hilar LNs

2. deep lymphatic plexus –> pulmonary LNs –> hilar LNs

Question 20

What are the two pathways of efferent vessel pathways from hilar LNs to R & L bronchomediastinal trunks?

Answer 20

1. hilar LN –> carinal LN –> bronchotracheal LN –> paratracheal LN –> bronchomediastinal trunk
2. hilar LN –> bronchotracheal LN –> paratracheal LN –> bronchomediastinal trunk

Question 21

What are the 6 main axillary LNs?

Answer 21

1. pectoral/anterior
2. humeral/lateral
3. subscapular/posterior
4. central
5. subclavian/apical
6. subareolar lymphatic plexus

Question 22

Where does 75% of the lymph go from the subareolar lymphatic plexus?

Answer 22

• axillary LNs (superolateral quadrant)

Question 23

Where does 25% of the lymph go from the subareolar lymphatic plexus?

Answer 23

• parasternal lymph nodes (medial quadrant)