The supraclavicular lymph nodes lie in the hollow just above the collarbone, in the lowest part of the posterior triangle of the neck (level VB) and around the lower internal jugular vein. They sit at the junction where lymph from the head, arm, chest and abdomen converges before entering the veins.
| Location | Supraclavicular fossa, above the middle third of the clavicle, around the lower end of the internal jugular vein and in the lower posterior triangle |
|---|---|
| Receives lymph from |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Filter lymph converging on the root of the neck from the head, upper limb, thorax and, on the left, the abdomen.
An enlarged supraclavicular node is never assumed to be benign: it carries a high risk of malignancy. On the right it suggests disease in the chest (lung, oesophagus, mediastinal lymphoma); on the left it may reflect abdominal or pelvic cancer spreading up the thoracic duct (Virchow node). They are best felt from behind the seated patient, with the shoulders relaxed.
Nodal spread from lung, breast, oesophageal, gastric or other cancers, or involvement by lymphoma.
TB involving the supraclavicular nodes, often presenting as matted painless swellings.
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