Quick Facts
Location: Base of axilla, embedded in adipose tissue.
Drainage: Upper limb, anterior thoracic wall.
Direction of Flow: Infraclavicular nodes > subclavian trunk > right lymphatic duct (right) or thoracic duct (left).
Related parts of the anatomy
Description
Generally, there are three to six central lymph nodes, but there can be up to ten. They are located centrally on the base of the axilla, adjacent to the intercostobrachial nerves and embedded in fatty tissue. The afferent vessels of the central nodes collect lymph from the lateral, posterior, and anterior axillary nodes and from the upper arm. The efferent vessels of the central axillary lymph nodes run in an apical direction to drain into the infraclavicular lymph nodes (Földi et al., 2012).
List of Clinical Correlates
—Breast cancer
References
Földi, M., Földi, E., Strößenreuther, R. and Kubik, S. (2012) Földi's Textbook of Lymphology: for Physicians and Lymphedema Therapists. Elsevier Health Sciences.
