[The anatomy and topography of the human axillary lymph nodes]

The anatomy and topography of the right and left axillary nodes were studied by the method of polychrome injections in 25 corpses of adult people dead from trauma or illnesses not related to lesions of axillary lymph nodes. Injections were made into the skin of fingers, palm and back of the hand, in the delta-shaped area, lateral surface of the chest and exterior half of the mamillary gland and also immediately into the lymph vessels of the upper extremity found with the help of interstitial injections. Detailed data on the topography of axillary lymph nodes relative to the walls, blood vessels and nerves of the axillary fossa were obtained, and the relations between the nodes were specified. From the topography of the axillary lymph nodes under study and approaching the lymph vessels as well as from literature data it is expedient to divide the axillary lymph nodes into 6 groups: lateral, medial, posterior, inferior, central and apical.