Parasternal Lymph Nodes

nodi lymphoidei parasternales

The parasternal (internal thoracic or internal mammary) lymph nodes are small nodes lying along the internal thoracic vessels just inside the chest wall, beside the sternum. They drain the inner parts of the breast and the anterior chest and upper abdominal walls.

Anatomical Data

Structure & Secretions

Location	Along the internal thoracic artery and vein, at the anterior ends of the intercostal spaces, deep to the costal cartilages beside the sternum
Receives lymph from	Medial part of the breast Anterior chest wall and intercostal spaces Upper anterior abdominal wall Anterior diaphragm and upper surface of the liver
Lymphatic drainage	Bronchomediastinal lymphatic trunk Supraclavicular lymph nodes

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Filter lymph from the medial breast and anterior thoracic and abdominal walls.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Breast cancers in the medial half of the breast can spread to these nodes, which are not palpable and are assessed by imaging or occasionally by sentinel node mapping. They may be included in radiotherapy fields for breast cancer. Lymph can cross to the opposite side through these nodes.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Internal Mammary Node Metastasis

Spread of breast cancer, usually from medial tumours, to the parasternal chain, upstaging the disease.

Mediastinal Lymphoma Involvement

Involvement of parasternal nodes in Hodgkin lymphoma with anterior mediastinal disease.

Explore

More in Chest

Browse all of Chest →