Where are the axillary lymph nodes?

There are countless lymph nodes distributed throughout the body. Because lymph is an immune tissue, it can effectively enhance the body's immunity. For most people, the most directly observable lymph node area is the lymph nodes on the neck, because the lymph nodes in this area are very easy to swell. There are also many lymph nodes distributed around the human armpits, and massaging the axillary lymph nodes can effectively prevent the occurrence of some diseases. So where are the axillary lymph nodes?

Body structure

A tapered space between the medial aspect of the upper arm and the lateral aspect of the chest wall. It consists of a top, a bottom and 4 walls:

1. Top: It is the upper opening of the armpit, which extends upward and inward to the base of the neck and is surrounded by the middle 1/3 of the clavicle, the outer edge of the first rib and the upper edge of the scapula. The brachial plexus passes through, and the subclavian vessels transform into axillary vessels at the outer edge of the first rib.

2. Bottom: composed of skin, superficial fascia and axillary fascia. The skin is connected to the axillary fascia by fibrous septa. The axillary fascia is sieve-shaped because cutaneous nerves, superficial blood vessels and superficial lymphatic vessels pass through the center, so it is also called cribriform fascia.

3. Four walls:

Front: It is composed of the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, subclavian muscle and clavicle fascia. The clavicle fascia is the deep thoracic fascia located between the subclavian muscle, pectoralis minor and coracoid process, through which the cephalic vein, thoracoacromial vessels and lateral thoracic nerve pass.

Posterior: composed of the latissimus dorsi, teres major, subscapularis and scapula.

Internal: It is composed of the serratus anterior muscle, the upper 4 ribs and the intercostal muscles.

External: It is composed of the coracobrachialis muscle, the long and short heads of the biceps brachii, and the intertubercular groove of the humerus.

Contents: Mainly include the subclavian part of the brachial plexus and its branches, the axillary artery and its branches, the axillary vein and its branches, axillary lymph nodes and loose connective tissue, etc.

Axillary lymph nodes

1. Touch with your hands

To judge the axillary lymph nodes, we can observe them by touching them with our hands or with our eyes. Generally speaking, if the lymph nodes are swollen, they can be seen with the naked eye, but if they cannot be seen with the naked eye, we need to touch them carefully and slowly with our hands. If there are small lumps and they are slightly painful to touch, then we should pay attention to it because it may be the deterioration of the lymph nodes.

2. Ultrasound examination

In addition to the method of identifying lymph nodes by touching them with your hands, you can also use some medical methods to confirm the diagnosis. If there are small lumps after touching them with your hands, you should go to the hospital for a relevant B-ultrasound examination. Ultrasound can clearly see some structures in the armpit area and determine whether lymph nodes are formed. If lymph nodes are formed, you should use drugs to intervene and treat them in time to prevent the condition from becoming serious.

The above are the methods for judging the axillary lymph nodes. Of course, there are many other methods to judge the lymph nodes. In any case, once the diagnosis is confirmed, timely treatment should be carried out. For treatment, it is recommended to take Chinese medicine as much as possible, because Chinese medicine will not harm the body, and it will not have any side effects and can regulate your body. It has many benefits, so it is best to choose Chinese medicine.