AnatoMemory

Lymphatic system

Lymphatic system

Lymph nodes, trunks and ducts, and the lymphoid organs.

33 structures

Upper limb

1
Organ

Axillary lymph nodes

Lymph filtering stations around the armpit

Organ

Lower limb

3
Organ

Deep inguinal lymph nodes

Deep groin nodes linking limb and pelvic lymph pathways

Organ
Organ

Popliteal lymph nodes

Lymph nodes accompanying the vessels behind the knee

Organ
Organ

Superficial inguinal lymph nodes

Subcutaneous groin nodes draining much of the lower body surface

Organ

Thorax

7
Organ

Lymph node

Organized immune tissue along a lymphatic route

Organ
Vessel

Lymphatic drainage of the breast

A variable network linking breast tissue to regional nodes

Vessel
Organ

Parasternal (internal mammary) nodes

Lymph nodes following the vessels beside the sternum

Organ
Vessel

Right lymphatic duct

A variable final lymphatic channel at the right neck base

Vessel
Vessel

Thoracic duct

The main lymphatic return route through the chest

Vessel
Organ

Thymus

A specialized environment for developing T cells

Organ
Organ

Tracheobronchial lymph nodes

Mediastinal nodes around the central airway division

Organ

Abdomen

5
Vessel

Cisterna chyli

Variable abdominal confluence of major lymph trunks

Vessel
Organ

Mesenteric lymph nodes

Immune surveillance along intestinal vessels

Organ
Organ

Para-aortic (lumbar) lymph nodes

Lumbar lymph nodes around the great abdominal vessels

Organ
Organ

Pre-aortic lymph nodes

Central nodes associated with the three gut arteries

Organ
Organ

Spleen

Blood filtration and immune defence beneath the left ribs

Organ

Pelvis

6
Organ

Common iliac lymph nodes

A major link from pelvic nodes to lumbar chains

Organ
Organ

External iliac lymph nodes

Pelvic continuation of inguinal and anterior visceral drainage

Organ
Organ

Internal iliac lymph nodes

Lymphatic stations beside the internal iliac branches

Organ
Vessel

Lymphatic drainage of the anal canal

Proximal pelvic routes and distal inguinal routes

Vessel
Vessel

Lymphatic drainage of the testis

Gonadal lymph follows the vessels into the retroperitoneum

Vessel
Vessel

Lymphatic drainage of the uterus and ovary

Interconnected pelvic, lumbar and inguinal pathways

Vessel

Head & neck

11
Organ

Cervical lymph node levels

Anatomical regions used to describe cervical nodal disease

Organ
Organ

Deep cervical lymph nodes

Major collecting nodes beside the internal jugular vein

Organ
Organ

Jugulodigastric (tonsillar) node

Prominent upper jugular node receiving tonsillar lymph

Organ
Vessel

Lymphatic drainage of the tongue

Overlapping routes with normal drainage to both sides

Vessel
Organ

Palatine tonsil

Crypt-bearing lymphoid tissue in the lateral oropharynx

Organ
Organ

Pericervical lymph node ring

Regional nodal groups around the head-neck junction

Organ
Organ

Pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid)

Adenoid tissue in the roof of the nasopharynx

Organ
Organ

Submandibular lymph nodes

Level Ib nodes surrounding the submandibular gland

Organ
Organ

Submental lymph nodes

Level Ia nodes on the mylohyoid beneath the chin

Organ
Organ

Virchow's node

Left supraclavicular node associated with distant disease

Organ
Organ

Waldeyer's tonsillar ring

Discontinuous tonsillar tissue around the upper pharynx

Organ