Organ
Parasternal (internal mammary) nodes
Lymph nodes following the vessels beside the sternum
High-yield
This is an important route from the medial breast, but neither a universal fraction of breast lymph nor a fixed sequence of nodal spread should be assumed.
Overview
The internal mammary, or parasternal, chain lies deep in the anterior chest wall. Its vessels communicate with mediastinal lymphatic routes and can cross the midline, so left and right drainage are not completely separate systems.
Reference facts
- Location
- Near the sternal ends of the intercostal spaces beside the internal thoracic vessels
- Parts
- Right and left chains with variable numbers and positions of nodes
- Drains from
- Medial breast and anterior thoracic wall, with contributions through anterior diaphragmatic lymphatic pathways
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Connections ascend through anterior mediastinal nodes and bronchomediastinal pathways toward the veins at the root of the neck
- Function
- Immune surveillance of lymph arriving from the anterior chest and connected breast territories
Clinical correlation
Parasternal ultrasound can identify suspicious internal mammary nodes, but benign nodes and other structures can mimic them. Imaging findings may guide further assessment or tissue sampling.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the parasternal (internal mammary) nodes located?
The parasternal (internal mammary) nodes lie near the sternal ends of the intercostal spaces beside the internal thoracic vessels.
What do the parasternal (internal mammary) nodes do?
Immune surveillance of lymph arriving from the anterior chest and connected breast territories.
What are the parts of the parasternal (internal mammary) nodes?
The parts of the parasternal (internal mammary) nodes are the right and left chains with variable numbers and positions of nodes.
How do the parasternal (internal mammary) nodes drain?
Connections ascend through anterior mediastinal nodes and bronchomediastinal pathways toward the veins at the root of the neck.