Infraclavicular nodes

At a glance

English

Infraclavicular nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi infraclaviculares nodi deltopectorales

System

Lymphatic

Region

Whole body

Side

Paired, left and right

About the infraclavicular nodes

The infraclavicular nodes, also called the deltopectoral nodes, lie in the upper part of the deltopectoral groove, the furrow between the anterior edge of deltoid and the clavicular head of pectoralis major. Just under the clavicle this groove widens into the small clavipectoral triangle, and here the cephalic vein turns deeply to pierce the clavipectoral fascia. The nodes sit beside the vein at this point. There are only one or two of them.

They are best thought of as outlying members of the axillary system. They stand on the route of the lateral superficial lymph vessels of the arm, which run with the cephalic vein instead of following the basilic vein to the elbow and axilla.

Lymph reaches them from the skin and superficial tissues of the outer side of the arm and forearm, and from the radial side of the hand, including the thumb and index finger, by way of vessels that travel with the cephalic vein. Some vessels from the upper outer breast and the skin over the shoulder may also pass this way. Their outflow follows the cephalic vein through the clavipectoral fascia to the apical axillary nodes, and a few vessels may go over the clavicle to the inferior deep cervical nodes.

Because they bypass the lower groups of the axilla, these nodes give a second, shorter path for lymph from the outer arm. They may enlarge with infections of the thumb, radial hand and outer forearm, and occasionally with spread of skin cancer or breast cancer. A swelling felt just below the clavicle in the deltopectoral groove may be one of these nodes.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent vessels running with the cephalic vein from the outer arm and forearm and the radial side of the hand, with some from the shoulder skin and upper breast.

Drains into

Efferent vessels pierce the clavipectoral fascia to reach the apical axillary nodes; a few pass to the inferior deep cervical nodes.

Drains

Filters lymph from the outer side of the upper limb. A short route to the apex of the axilla, and a node that may swell below the clavicle with radial hand infection or skin cancer.