The tracheobronchial lymph nodes lie around the lower trachea and the main bronchi. They include the superior groups in the angles between the trachea and bronchi and the inferior (subcarinal) group under the tracheal bifurcation. They receive lymph from the lungs after it passes through the hilar nodes.
| Location | Around the tracheal bifurcation and main bronchi: superior nodes in the tracheobronchial angles and inferior (subcarinal) nodes below the carina |
|---|---|
| Receives lymph from |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Filter lymph from the lungs and airways on its way to the bronchomediastinal trunks.
Enlarged subcarinal nodes can widen the angle of the carina on imaging and press on the oesophagus or left atrium. These nodes are often blackened by inhaled carbon (anthracosis) in city dwellers and smokers. They are key staging stations in lung cancer and are sampled by EBUS.
Enlargement of the nodes below the carina from lung cancer, lymphoma, TB or sarcoidosis.
Black pigmentation of nodes from inhaled carbon particles, usually harmless but a marker of exposure.
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