Lymph nodes of Thorax

Lymph nodes of Thorax present are Intercostal lymph node, Mediastinal lymph node, Bronchial lymph node, Pulmonary lymph node, Pericardial lymph node, Diaphragmatic lymph node, Sternal lymph node

INTERCOSTAL LYMPH NODE

• These are small glands situated in the upper part of the intercostal spaces (absent in dog) on the course of intercostal vessels.
• Afferents: Vertebrae, ribs, pleura, intercostal and spinal muscles.
• Efferents: To mediastinal lymph nodes

MEDASTINAL LYMPH NODE

Anterior mediastinal lymph node

• These are situated in the anterior mediastinum along the oesophagus trachea anterior vena cava and common brachiocephalic trunk.
• Two or four are found ventral to the trachea and oesophagus. The largest often lies along the origin of the internal thoracic artery.
• Afferents: Pleura, trachea, oesophagus, thymus, pericardium, heart and lungs.
• Efferents: On the left to the thoracic duct on the right to the right lymphatic duct or costocervical nodes.

Middle mediastinal lymph node

• They are situated on the superior part of middle mediastinum over the oesophagus on the right side.
• Afferents: Pleura, pericardium, longus colli, vertebrae, etc.
• Efferents: To the efferent of the posterior mediastinal glands.

Posterior mediastinal lymph node

• These lie along the oesophagus in the posterior mediastinum
• Afferents: Oesophagus, lungs, pericardium, mediastinum, diaphragm, liver and spleen.
• Efferents: To thoracic duct.

Dorsal mediastinal lymph node

• They are situated on either side of the aorta and between it and vertebrae.
• Afferents: Similar to intercostal and also from diaphragm pericardium mediastinum.
• Efferents: To the efferent from posterior mediastinal or to the thoracic duct.

Ventral mediastinal lymph node

• These lie on the transversus thoracic muscle at the apex of the pericardium.
• Afferents: Pleura diaphragm pericardium and sternum.
• Efferents:  To the anterior sternal node.

BRONCHIAL AND PULMONARY LYMPH NODE

Bronchial lymph node

• They are right, left, middle and apical bronchial nodes.
• The right bronchial is situated on the right face of the trachea.
• The left bronchial is situated between the aortic arch and pulmonary artery.
• The middle bronchial at the bifurcation of the trachea.
• The apical bronchial is at the origin of the apical bronchus.
• Afferents: Lungs, oesophagus bronchi and heart.
• Efferents: On the left to the efferents of the posterior mediastinal gland on the right to the middle mediastinal and anterior mediastinal nodes.

Pulmonary lymph node

• They are inconstant and found in the chief bronchi in the lungs.
• Afferents:  Lungs.
• Efferents: To bronchial and mediastinal nodes.

PERICARDIAL LYMPH NODE

• They are small and inconstant and are found between the aortic arch and vena hemiazygos.
• Afferents: Pericardium.
• Efferents: To left bronchial node.

DIAPHRAGMATIC AND STERNAL LYMPH NODE

Diaphragmatic lymph node

• It is a small gland close to the foramen vena cava of diaphragm.
• Afferents: Diaphragm.
• Efferents: To posterior mediastinal nodes.

Sternal lymph node

• These nodes are situated along the course of internal thoracic vessels. The largest of these is the anterior sternal nodes.
• Afferents: Intercostal muscles, pericardium, pectoral and abdominal muscles.
• Efferents: To the anterior mediastinal nodes.