The subclavian lymphatic trunks (right and left) carry lymph from the upper limb and from much of the breast and superficial chest wall. Each is formed by efferent vessels from the apical axillary lymph nodes and runs along the axillary and subclavian veins. The left trunk usually joins the thoracic duct, and the right joins the right lymphatic duct or the right venous angle.
| Origin | Efferent vessels of the apical axillary lymph nodes |
|---|---|
| Course | Runs with the axillary and subclavian veins to the root of the neck, ending in the thoracic duct on the left and in the right lymphatic duct or venous angle on the right |
| Branches |
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All lymph from the arm passes through the apical axillary nodes and the subclavian trunk, so removal or irradiation of the axillary nodes for breast cancer can disrupt drainage and cause arm lymphoedema. The trunk also carries breast cancer cells to the apical and then supraclavicular nodes. Lymphoedema is managed with compression, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise and, in selected cases, lymphatic surgery.
Chronic arm swelling after axillary node removal or radiotherapy disrupts lymph flow toward the subclavian trunk, increasing the risk of skin infection and reducing arm function.
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