Quick Facts
Location: Between the pericardium and sternum.
Drainage: Mediastinal pleura and anterior pericardium.
Direction of Flow: Parasternal lymph nodes > Bronchomediastinal trunk > Thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.
Description: (Location & Drainage)
The prepericardial lymph nodes are located in the anterior mediastinum, between the pericardium and the sternum. These nodes receive afferent vessels that drain the mediastinal pleura and the anterior portion of the pericardium. They also receive lymph from the anterior group of superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes. The efferent prepericardial lymph vessels drain into the parasternal lymph nodes, and lymph is returned to the bronchomediastinal trunks and the right lymphatic duct or thoracic duct (Földi et al., 2012).
References
Földi, M., Földi, E., Strößenreuther, R. and Kubik, S. (2012) Földi's Textbook of Lymphology: for Physicians and Lymphedema Therapists. Elsevier Health Sciences.
