Index
They are small structures formed by acute tissue, which are found in the path of the lymphatic vessels
Axillary lymph nodes are also known as axillary lymph nodes and are divided into several groups based on their location in the armpit.
The axillary lymph nodes drain the lymphatic vessels of the lateral quadrants of the breast, the superficial lymphatic vessels of the thin walls of the chest, and the abdomen above the level of the umbilicus and vessels of the upper extremity.
The lymph nodes are responsible for filtering the lymphatic fluid and detecting chemical changes that indicate if an infection is present.
Cancer cells can also enter the lymphatic system and lodge in the lymph nodes. When in the armpit, these filter points are called axillary lymph nodes.
Structure
The lymph node is divided into 3 zones:
- Cortical zone : it has cells with reticular forgings, macrophages, with a predominance of B lymphocytes.
- Paracortical zone : rich in T lymphocytes.
- Medullary zone : contains large concentrations of B lymphocytes.
Classification
Each grouping of lymph nodes is responsible for the evacuation of an area of the body. The lymph nodes are organized into six groups:
- Anterior group (pectoral): lying along the lower border of the pectoralis minor behind the pectoralis major, these nodes receive lymphatic vessels from the lateral quadrants of the breast and superficial vessels from the anterolateral abdominal wall above the level of the umbilicus.
- Posterior (subscapular) group: overlapping in front of the subscapularis muscle, these nodes receive superficial lymphatic vessels from the back, down to the level of the iliac crests.
- Lateral group: located along the medial side of the axillary vein, these nodes receive most of the lymphatic vessels of the upper limb.
- Central group: located in the center of the armpit in the axillary fat, these nodes receive lymph from the three previous groups.
- Infraclavicular (deltopectoral) group: These nodules are not strictly axillary nodes because they are located outside the axilla. They are found in the groove between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles and receive superficial lymphatic vessels from the lateral side of the hand, forearm, and arm.
- Apical group: located at the apex of the axilla on the lateral border of the 1st rib, these nodes receive the efferent lymphatic vessels from all the other axillary nodes. The apical nodules drain into the subclavian lymphatic trunk.
Lymph nodes and breast cancer
Sometimes breast cancer can spread to the axillary lymph nodes, which are located in a person’s armpits.
The number of axillary lymph nodes can vary from person to person, from 5 nodes to more than 30.
When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, knowing if the cancer has spread to their axillary lymph nodes can determine the type of treatment they have, as well as their prognosis.
What is the connection?
And because the breast and armpit are close to each other, lymph nodes are a common place for this type of cancer to spread.
As a general rule of thumb, the more a cancer has spread from its starting point, the worse the prognosis for a person.
Also, if the cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, a doctor will usually recommend removing the lymph nodes during surgery to remove the tumor of origin.
Lymph nodes are responsible for draining lymph fluid, so their removal can cause some side effects after surgery. One side effect can be arm lymphedema , which is a chronic swelling of the arm.
