Quick Facts
Location: Axilla.
Drainage: Upper limb, thoracic and abdominal wall.
Direction of Flow: Central lymph nodes > infraclavicular nodes > subclavian trunk > right lymphatic duct (right) or thoracic duct (left).
Related parts of the anatomy
Description
The lymph nodes of the axilla are connected by internodal lymph vessels, which collect and transport lymph from the upper limb, anterior thoracic and abdominal walls, and the back as far as the iliac crest. Although the transport of lymph in the axillary vessels is bidirectional, the main pathway of the lymph runs in a central and apical direction. Lymph from the parietal lymph groups (anterior, posterior, and lateral axillary lymph nodes) travel towards the central axillary nodes and then superiorly towards the infraclavicular nodes.
