There are four deep lymphatic channels for drainage of the breast:
- superior trunk:
- originates from subareolar plexus around nipple
- drains from
- superficial and deep tissue around nipple, areola and periareolar region
- parenchymal tissues of outer half of the breast
- pierces fascia at the lateral border of pectoralis major to run to axillary nodes
inferior trunk:
þþ originate in subareolar plexus
- receives lymphatics from the medial half of the breast
- takes same route as superior trunk to axilla
- transpectoral lymphatics:
- arise from deepest surface of breast
- pass through pectoralis major
- pass along route of pectoral branch of thoraco-acromial artery
- distribute lymph to apical axillary nodes
- retropectoral lymphatics:
- originate in the superomedial parts of the deep breast
- pass laterally deep to pectoralis major
- supply the apical group of nodes
These must be contrasted with the cutaneous lymphatics.