Quick Facts
Location: Apex of axilla in first intercostal space.
Drainage: Axilla, upper limb, and anterior thoracic wall.
Direction of Flow: Subclavian trunk > right lymphatic duct (right) or thoracic duct (left).
Related parts of the anatomy
Description
The infraclavicular lymph nodes are located superior to the first indentation of the serratus anterior muscles or in the first intercostal space, at the superior apex of the axilla. The nodes form a continuation of the chain of the lateral axillary and anterior axillary lymph nodes, which are located along the axillary vein. There can be up to 12 infraclavicular lymph nodes, but the number varies significantly (Földi et al., 2012).
The infraclavicular nodes receive lymph from the axillary lymph node groups, the upper limb, and anterior abdominal wall.
The efferent vessels of this group unite to form the subclavian trunk, which finally opens into the right lymphatic duct on the right side or the thoracic duct on the left side.
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.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Lymph Node
A lymph node is an encapsulated discrete cluster of fibrovascular tissue enclosed within a dilated lymphatic sac/vessel where lymphocytes are transient migratory residents distributed in discrete lymphoid lobules, each divided into different anatomic and physiologic parts (Kelly, 1975;
