Brachial nodes

At a glance

English

Brachial nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi brachiales

System

Lymphatic

Region

Whole body

Side

Paired, left and right

About the brachial nodes

The brachial nodes are small and inconstant deep nodes of the upper limb. They lie along the brachial vessels on the medial side of the arm, in the groove between biceps and triceps, where the brachial artery runs with its paired veins and the median nerve. They are few in number and in health are too small and too deeply placed to be felt.

They sit on the deep lymph route of the limb. The deep lymph vessels of the hand and forearm travel with the radial, ulnar and interosseous arteries, may pass through the cubital nodes at the elbow, and then climb the arm beside the brachial artery, where they meet these nodes. Above, the route continues to the lateral axillary nodes grouped along the axillary vein.

Most of the lymph of the upper limb takes the superficial route instead, in vessels that follow the cephalic and basilic veins, so the deep route and its nodes carry a smaller share: chiefly the lymph of muscles, bones and joints.

Because of their size and depth the brachial nodes are of limited clinical use, but they can enlarge with deep infection of the arm and forearm and with lymphoma, and they lie close to the median nerve and brachial artery when a mass on the inner arm is explored.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent deep lymph vessels of the forearm and arm, some arriving from the cubital nodes, running with the brachial vessels.

Drains into

Efferent vessels continue up beside the brachial artery to the lateral axillary nodes.

Drains

Filters deep lymph from the muscles, bones and joints of the arm and forearm on its way to the axilla. May enlarge with deep infection of the limb or with lymphoma.