Blood
and lymph vessels form a network throughout each breast. Breast tissue is
drained by lymphatic vessels that lead to axillary nodes (which
lie in the axilla) and internal mammary nodes (which lie along each side of the
breast bone). When breast cancer spreads, it is frequently to these nodes.
| 2. Axillary lymphatic plexus |
7. Brachial axillary lymph nodes |
| 4. Cubital lymph nodes * |
8. Interpectoral axillary lymph nodes (Rotter
nodes) |
| 5. Superficial axillary (low axillary) |
10. Paramammary or intramammary lymph nodes |
| 6. Deep axillary lymph nodes |
11. Parasternal lymph nodes (internal mammary
nodes) |
* Note: the cubital lymph nodes are not part of the lymph node drainage of the
breast.
Sentinel nodes — Click here.
