Juxta-oesophageal nodes

At a glance

English

Juxta-oesophageal nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi juxtaoesophagei

System

Lymphatic

Region

Whole body

Side

Single, on the midline

About the juxta-oesophageal nodes

The juxta-oesophageal nodes are strung along the oesophagus in the posterior mediastinum, behind the heart and in front of the vertebral column and descending aorta. They lie on its sides and front, mainly in its lower half, close to the vagus nerves as these break up into the oesophageal plexus. The lower nodes reach down towards the oesophageal opening in the diaphragm.

Although their name refers to the oesophagus, Terminologia groups them with the nodes of the lungs. The reason is that the pulmonary ligament, a fold of pleura hanging below each lung root, runs down close to the oesophagus, and lymph from the lower lobes travels through it to reach these nodes. They therefore serve two neighbouring organs at once.

Lymph comes to them from the wall of the thoracic oesophagus, from the lower lobes of both lungs through the pulmonary ligaments, and from the back of the pericardium and the diaphragm nearby. Their outflow passes to the other posterior mediastinal nodes, to the tracheobronchial nodes above, and directly into the thoracic duct. The lower nodes also connect with the left gastric nodes below the diaphragm.

These nodes are an important site of spread for cancer of the oesophagus, which often moves along the length of the organ through its lymphatics before it shows elsewhere. In lung cancer, especially of the lower lobes, they are counted among the mediastinal stations, and their involvement changes the stage. Because they link the chest with the upper abdomen, cancer of the upper stomach can also reach them.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent vessels from the thoracic oesophagus, the lower lobes of the lungs through the pulmonary ligaments, and the posterior pericardium and diaphragm.

Drains into

Efferent vessels pass to the posterior mediastinal and tracheobronchial nodes and into the thoracic duct; lower nodes connect with the left gastric nodes.

Drains

Filters lymph from the oesophagus and the lower lungs. A major path of spread for oesophageal cancer and a mediastinal station in lower lobe lung cancer.