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Parasternal lymph nodes

Parasternal lymph nodes lie alongside the internal thoracic vessels, filtering lymph from the anterior thoracic wall and breasts.

RegionThorax
SystemLymphatic System

The parasternal lymph nodes are a group of thoracic lymph nodes located alongside the internal thoracic (internal mammary) vessels, close to the sternum. They play an important role in draining lymph from the anterior thoracic wall, breasts, upper abdominal wall, and parts of the upper peritoneal cavity. These nodes are clinically significant due to their involvement in breast cancer lymphatic spread and thoracic wall infections.

Location

  • Situated alongside the internal thoracic arteries and veins
  • Located posterior to the upper six costal cartilages and adjacent to the sternum
  • Lie within the anterior part of the thoracic cavity, along the edges of the sternum in the parasternal region

Afferent Drainage

The parasternal nodes receive lymph from the following areas:

Efferent Drainage

Function

  • Filters lymph from the anterior thoracic and upper abdominal walls
  • Serves as a pathway for metastatic spread from the breast and anterior mediastinal organs
  • Plays a role in draining subdiaphragmatic lymph from the liver region

Relations

Clinical Significance)

  • Breast cancer: Parasternal lymph nodes are a key route of metastasis from the medial portions of the breast
  • Biopsy relevance: May be sampled for cancer staging or sentinel node identification in breast surgery
  • Lymphadenopathy: Enlargement can occur in infections or malignancies involving the anterior thoracic wall or liver
  • Radiological visibility: Enlarged parasternal nodes may be visible on CT scans near the sternum

Topographic Summary

  • Location: Along internal thoracic vessels, near sternum, behind costal cartilages 1–6
  • Afferents: From anterior thoracic wall, breast, upper abdomen, liver (via falciform ligament)
  • Efferents: To bronchomediastinal trunks → thoracic/right lymphatic duct
  • Function: Filters lymph from anterior body wall and mediastinal structures
Published on May 7, 2025
Last updated on May 7, 2025
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