Anatomy of the Thoracic Lymph Nodes

11 Questions

What is the location of the Tracheobronchial nodes?

In the angle between the trachea and right bronchus

Which nodes are located at the bifurcation of the trachea?

Interior tracheobronchial nodes

What is the name of the lymph nodes that drain the lung substance?

Bronchopulmonary nodes

Where are the diaphragmatic lymph nodes located?

On the upper surface of the diaphragm

Where do the efferent vessels from the parasternal and braefiocephalic nodes converge?

Form the bronchomediastinal lymph triangle

Which group of diaphragmatic lymph nodes drains the upper surface of the right lobe of the liver?

Anterior group

What is the location of the Paratracheal nodes?

Along the sides of the trachea

Where do the efferent vessels of the diaphragmatic lymph nodes end?

Into the posterior mediastinal and brachiocephalic lymph nodes

What forms the Bronchomediastinal Lymph Trunk?

Efferent vessels from the intercostal and posterior mediastinal lymph nodes

Where do the left and right phrenic groups of diaphragmatic lymph nodes drain?

Into the corresponding thoracic veins

Which of the following is NOT a group of diaphragmatic lymph nodes?

Parietal group

Study Notes

Lymphatic Drainage of the Thorax

The thorax has several groups of lymph nodes that drain different regions.

Efferent Lymph Nodes

Efferent vessels from the pulmonary nodes drain into the bronchomediastinal lymph trunk.
The bronchomediastinal lymph trunk drains into the brachiocephalic nodes.

Pulmonary Nodes

Pulmonary nodes are located at the hilum of the lung and receive lymph from the lung bronchopulmonary segment.
Efferent vessels from the pulmonary nodes drain into the bronchomediastinal lymph trunk.

Tracheobronchial Nodes

Tracheobronchial nodes are divided into:
- Superior tracheobronchial nodes: located above the bifurcation of the trachea.
- Inferior tracheobronchial nodes: located below the bifurcation of the trachea.
Efferent vessels from the tracheobronchial nodes drain into the bronchomediastinal lymph trunk.

Paratracheal Nodes

Paratracheal nodes are located along the sides of the trachea.
Efferent vessels from the paratracheal nodes drain into the brachiocephalic nodes.

Intercostal Lymph Nodes

Intercostal lymph nodes are located in the intercostal spaces.
Efferent vessels from the intercostal lymph nodes drain into the brachiocephalic nodes.

Diaphragmatic Lymph Nodes

Diaphragmatic lymph nodes are located on the upper surface of the diaphragm.
Three groups of diaphragmatic lymph nodes:
- Anterior group: located behind the xiphoid process.
- Posterior group: located near the vertebral column.
- Right and left phrenic group: located near the point where the phrenic nerve pierces the diaphragm.
Efferent vessels from the diaphragmatic lymph nodes drain into the posterior mediastinal and brachiocephalic lymph nodes.

Bronchomediastinal Lymph Trunk

The bronchomediastinal lymph trunk is formed by the union of the efferent vessels from the pulmonary, tracheobronchial, and paratracheal nodes.
It drains into the brachiocephalic nodes.