Lymphatics of Thorax

Dr. Hamd Syed

Asst. Prof. Anatomy Dept.
CIMS Multan
Learning Objectives

At the end of this session students should be

able to
 Briefly discuss the general lymphatic
organization of the body
 Identify the various groups of lymph nodes in
the thorax
 Describe the anatomical arrangement and
superficial/deep pathways of lymphatic
drainage of the thorax
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Brief Overview

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Lymphatic Drainage
Of Thorax

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
 Lymphatic Drainage of Chest Wall

 Superficial lymphatics of the thoracic

wall drain into the following lymph
nodes
 Axillary
 Parasternal (internal thoracic)
 Inferior deep cervical

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

 Lymphatic Drainage of Chest Wall

 Deep lymphatics of the chest wall drain

into the following lymph nodes
 Parasternal (internal thoracic)
 Intercostal (posterior intercostal)
 Diaphragmatic (phrenic)

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Lymphatic Drainage of Thoracic Contents

The viscera of thoracic cavity are drained by

 Anterior mediastinal (brachiocephalic)

 Posterior mediastinal
 Paratracheal

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
 The efferents of the anterior mediastinal
(brachiocephalic), parasternal and
paratracheal lymph nodes join to form the
‘Bronchomediastinal lymph trunks’

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
 Right Lymphatic Duct

 Its afferents in the thorax are

 Right intercostal nodes
 Right bronchomediastinal trunk
 Right jugular lymph trunk
 Right subclavian lymph trunk

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

 Thoracic Duct

 Its afferents in the thorax are

 Left intercostal nodes
 Posterior mediastinal nodes
 Left bronchomediastinal lymph trunk
 Left jugular lymph trunk
 Subclavian lymph trunk

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
 Thoracic Duct

 The thoracic duct commences at the upper

end of cisterna chyli at the level of body of
T12 vertebra

 It passes upward between the aorta and

azygos vein through the diaphragm to reach
the right side of the esophagus

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

 Thoracic Duct

 In the superior mediastinum at the level of T5

vertebra, the thoracic duct passes behind the
esophagus to lie on its left side

 In the root of the neck, it passes behind the

carotid sheath to enter the left subclavian
vein

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy
Quiz

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy

Dr. Hamd Syed, Asst. Prof.Anatomy