Intercostal Lymph Vessels and Lymph Nodes

Lymph Vessels

• Anterior intercostal/internal mammary lymph nodes is where the lymph vessels from the anterior parts of the spaces drain into. The bronchomediastinal trunk is created when tracheobronchial and brachiocephalic nodes gets united with those of coming away from these nodes, which then drains into subclavian trunk on the right side and thoracic duct on the left side.
• The lymph vessels from the posterior parts of the spaces drain into posterior intercostal nodes. The efferent from the posterior intercostal nodes of lower 4 spaces unify to create a slim lymph trunk, which descends and drain in the cysternachyli. The efferent from posterior intercostal nodes of upper spaces drain into right lymphatic duct on the right side and thoracic duct on the left side.

Lymph Nodes

• Posterior intercostal nodes.
• Anterior intercostal/internal mammary (parasternal) nodes.

The posterior intercostal nodes are found in the posterior part of the intercostal spaces on the necks of the ribs.

The anterior intercostal nodes is located along the course of internal thoracic (mammary) artery.