Quick Facts
Location: Superior surface of respiratory diaphragm, lateral to the pericardium.
Drainage: Pericardium, respiratory diaphragm, diaphragmatic pleura, anterior upper section of liver, upper part of rectus abdominis muscle.
Direction of Flow: Prepericardiac lymph nodes > Parasternal lymph nodes > Bronchomediastinal trunk > Thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.
Description: (Location & Drainage)
The lateral group of superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes consists of about two or three nodes found on the superior surface of the respiratory diaphragm, just lateral to the pericardium and close to the point where the phrenic nerve enters the diaphragm.
These nodes receive lymph from afferent vessels located along the anterior superior surface of the diaphragm, as well as the inferior intercostal spaces, anterior upper surface of the liver, the superior part of the rectus abdominis muscle, and from the posteriorly located pericardium.
The lateral group of superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes send efferent vessels to the parasternal lymph nodes via the prepericardiac lymph nodes or to the posterior group of diaphragmatic lymph nodes.
