Lymph nodes of the mammary glands

The woman's mammary gland has a complex anatomy of the structure. It lies on the large pectoralis muscle and partly on the front dentate. The organ is able to easily shift due to binding to the underlying tissues of loose fiber. The anatomy of the structure includes the lymph nodes of the mammary glands.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Structure of lymph nodes of mammary glands

Paramammary lymph nodes are located on the large pectoral muscle, along its outer edge. They are the main nodes of the first stage. The vasoconstrictors, which form the basis of the structure of the lymph nodes of the mammary glands, flow into the axillary lymph nodes. They, in turn, are the lymph nodes of the first stage. Localized on the fourth tooth, sometimes called the Bartels node.

The main and largest group of lymph nodes are axillary groups. Some of them are on the surface, they are divided into three subgroups. This includes external, central and subscapular nodes. External or lateral axillary nodes are located near the lateral thoracic artery. The central nodes are located along the axillary vein. To them there is an outflow of lymph from the outer quadrants of the mammary gland. The posterior axillary nodes have a slightly different arrangement and extend along the subscapular artery.

Another group of lymph nodes includes lymph nodes located under the clavicle. They are located in the area under the collarbone. They are referred to the nodes of the first stage, which are included in the upper quadrants of the mammary glands. In them lymphatic vessels vlada. Simultaneously, they relate to the nodes of the first stage of the upper section of the breast.

Parasternal lymph nodes are located along the internal mammary artery. They are in the first to the seventh intercostal spaces. The largest cluster of them is observed within the second to fourth intervals. Parasternal lymph nodes are located on the second to fourth intercostal space. They are referred to the number of nodes of the first stage of the outflow from the mammary gland. The nodes of the second stage include vascular vessels of the axillary lymph nodes.

The glands of lymphatic vessels from their base follow to the lymph nodes of the retroammammary space. After that they permeate the large pectoralis muscle and pass into interintegral nodes. From this site, lymph begins to flow into the central axillary lymph nodes.

Some of the vessels pass not only through the large, but also the small pectoral muscles. Then through the ribs they penetrate to the parasternal lymph nodes, that is, the first stage. In the mammary gland there are also unstable lymph nodes. They are located in the area between the small and large pectoralis muscle.

Regional lymph nodes of the breast

The mammary gland is characterized by its complex structure. Its "composition" includes a mass of lymph nodes of various stages. To the regional lymph nodes, located in the mammary gland, include a whole group of axillary nodes. It is divided into three main levels. The first level is the lower axillary nodes. They are located laterally to the lateral border with a small pectoralis muscle. The second level is the middle axillary nodes. They are located in the area between the medial and lateral margins of the small pectoralis muscle. The third level is represented by the apical axillary nodes. They are located in the center, relative to the medial edge of the small pectoral muscle. These include subclavian and apical lymph nodes.

Regional lymph nodes are also referred to as internal ones. They are on the side of the lesion, that is, they most often suffer from breast cancer. Moreover, they are designated even by a special symbol M.

Axillary lymph nodes in the mammary gland

Sometimes these lymph nodes are detected by mammography on the lateral part, which is located at the top of the quadrant of the breast. It promotes the appearance of a small rounded shadow. Due to this feature of the axillary lymph nodes in the mammary gland, it is possible to notice areas of enlightenment. They are noticeable because of the accumulation of fat.

Axillary lymphadenopathy is a disturbed functioning of the axillary nodes. This process entails an increase in the lymph nodes. When palpation there is unpleasant pain. This phenomenon can be a sign of the development of a serious disease. Including breast cancer, tuberculosis and many other diseases. Axillary lymph nodes suffer more often than others. Therefore, when increasing them, it is necessary to begin to search for the cause that triggered this process. The simplest method of examination in this case is a biopsy.

[6], [7], [8]

Intramammary lymph node of the breast

Axillary or axillary lymph nodes are encoded under intramammary lymph nodes. Due to their location, they most often suffer from serious diseases, including breast cancer. If you suspect a lesion of the breast, the intramammary lymph node is examined first. The survey is conducted by means of mammography.

As mentioned above, the intramammary node is one of the axillary. They, in turn, are divided into several levels, divided in their own way. Details of the axillary lymph nodes were presented above.

When the functionality of the intramammary lymph node is impaired, a significant increase occurs. In some cases, the process is accompanied by pain. Lymph node enlargement is a serious problem, and requires an immediate examination. To investigate this lymph node resort to a biopsy.

Research of lymph nodes of the mammary gland

For today it is possible to allocate weight of methods for research. The first step is clinical diagnosis. This method of examining the lymph nodes of the breast can collect all the data about the patient, as well as conduct an examination and palpation. When collecting an anamnesis, special attention should be given to the duration of the course of the disease, as well as the development of symptoms.

Physical examination is an examination and palpation of the breast. The procedure is necessary in daylight. Particular attention is paid to the symmetry of the mammary glands, the presence of deformations around the nipples and areolas. After the examination and palpation resort to morphological diagnosis. Verification of the diagnosis using this study is an important exercise if there is a risk of developing a malignant process in the mammary gland.

• Cytological research is most often used in oncology. It is characterized by conducting diagnostic puncture with the help of thin needles. The tip of the needle determines the most densified place on the chest and pierce it. A syringe is used to select the test material, after which it is transferred to the glass. This method of investigation will determine the nature of the process, as well as the degree of cell differentiation. The technique is not so common, it is used only to clarify the lymphogenous spread of cancer.
• Radiation diagnostics. To date, this type of research plays a leading role. The main methods of radiation diagnosis are the x-ray and ultrasound examination. Include here and other activities, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, thermography and radionuclide method. They are used exclusively for special indications.
• X-ray examination. This method will allow you to take pictures of the affected area and to understand the location of the pathological process by the obscuration. In some cases, radiographs in non-standard projections are resorted to.
• Axillography. This method of research allows you to identify lesions with lymph nodes. He gives a complete picture of what is happening.
• Ductography is performed in case of suspected pathological secretion from the nipple. For this purpose, 0.5-2 moles of water-soluble contrast medium based on iodine is introduced into the milk ducts of the mammary gland.
• Pneumocystography. This technique is to perform a puncture cyst, as a result of which you can see its outlines.
• Ultrasound. This method of research is the most common. It has a number of advantages and allows you to accurately determine the presence of a pathological process. And the study is harmless and safe.
• Thermography. This principle consists in the remote registration of infrared radiation from the human body. They reflect the degree of bioenergetic processes that occur in different parts of an organ. The result of the study can be obtained in the form of a thermogram.
• Computer tomography. This method of research is used to detect metastases in breast cancer, as well as to assess the prevalence of the pathological process.
• Magnetic resonance imaging. This method of research has modest capabilities. It is rarely used as a separate method of diagnosing the disease.
• Radionuclide study of the mammary gland. This technique is used as an additional technique. It allows to determine the malignancy of the pathological process, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the prescribed antitumor treatment. This method of investigation is highly effective.

Ultrasound of mammary glands and lymph nodes

Apply this method of research because of its effectiveness and safety. He has no contraindications and is considered absolutely harmless. To date, breast ultrasound and lymph nodes are used quite often. It is recommended for general examination of a woman with complaints of breast tenderness. Uzi is safe even for pregnant women and young patients.

This method allows you to determine the exact cause of soreness and to monitor the condition of the breasts as a whole. In the early stages it allows to identify the cancer and begin its timely treatment. To resort to the help of Uzi is necessary for the constant soreness of the mammary glands, especially during the premenstrual phase. When isolating from the nipple, changing skin color and increasing the axillary lymph nodes, the examination must be carried out. It is recommended to do ultrasound at least 2 times a year. The procedure does not require special preparation. To come for examination it is desirable in the first phase of the menstrual cycle.