Lymphatic drainage associations

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This page provides a detailed overview of lymphatic drainage, illustrating key lymph node clusters, the areas of the body they drain, and associated pathologies. The diagram on the left visually maps these nodes, while the table on the right offers specific details.

Upper Body Lymph Nodes

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Submandibular, Submental Nodes

Drain: Oral cavity, anterior tongue, lower lip.

Pathology: Malignancy and metastasis to the oral cavity.

Deep Cervical Nodes

Drain: Head, neck, oropharynx.

Pathology: Upper respiratory tract infection, infectious mononucleosis, Kawasaki disease, malignancy of head, neck, oropharynx.

Supraclavicular Nodes

Drain: Right hemithorax; Left (Virchow node) left hemithorax, abdomen, pelvis.

Pathology: Malignancies of thorax, abdomen, pelvis.

Thoracic and Axillary Lymph Nodes

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Mediastinal Nodes

Drain: Trachea, esophagus.

Pathology: Pulmonary TB (unilateral hilar), Sarcoidosis (bilateral hilar), Lung cancer, Granulomatous disease.

Hilar Nodes

Drain: Lungs.

Pathology: Lung cancer, Granulomatous disease.

Axillary Nodes

Drain: Upper limb, breast, skin above umbilicus.

Pathology: Mastitis, Metastasis (especially breast cancer).

Abdominal and Upper Limb Lymph Nodes

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Epitrochlear Nodes

Drain: Hand, forearm.

Pathology: Secondary syphilis.

Celiac Nodes

Drain: Liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, upper duodenum.

Superior Mesenteric Nodes

Drain: Lower duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon to splenic flexure.

Pathology: Mesenteric lymphadenitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease.

Inferior Mesenteric Nodes

Drain: Colon from splenic flexure to upper rectum.

Periumbilical (Sister Mary Joseph node)

Drain: Abdomen, pelvis.

Pathology: Gastric cancer.

Pelvic and Lower Limb Lymph Nodes

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Para-aortic Nodes

Drain: Pair of testes, ovaries, kidneys, fallopian tubes (uterus).

Pathology: Metastasis.

External Iliac Nodes

Drain: Cervix, vagina (upper third), superior bladder, body of uterus.

Internal Iliac Nodes

Drain: Lower rectum to anal canal (above pectinate line), bladder, vagina (middle third), cervix, prostate.

Pathology: Sexually transmitted infections, Medial foot/leg cellulitis (superficial inguinal).

Superficial Inguinal Nodes

Drain: Anal canal (below pectinate line), skin below umbilicus (except popliteal area), scrotum, vulva, vagina (lower third).

Popliteal (“pop-lateral”) Nodes

Drain: Dorsolateral foot, posterior calf.

Pathology: Lateral foot/leg cellulitis.

Legend and Lymphatic Duct Note

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The diagram uses two symbols:

• ● Palpable lymph node
• ● Nonpalpable lymph node

Important note: The right lymphatic duct drains the right side of the body above the diaphragm into the junction of the right subclavian and internal jugular vein.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Lymphatic Drainage
• Head, Neck, and Shoulder Lymphatics
• Chest and Armpit Lymphatics
• Abdominal and Forearm Lymphatics
• Pelvic and Lower Limb Lymphatics
• Lymph Node Palpability and Right Lymphatic Duct