Thoracic lymph nodes
Nodi lymphoidei thoracis
- Latin synonym: Nodi lymphatici thoracis
Definition
The thoracic lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes located within the thoracic cavity, which includes the chest wall, mediastinum, and lungs. These nodes play a crucial role in the lymphatic drainage of the thoracic organs and are significant in the staging and management of thoracic malignancies, particularly lung cancer.
In the Terminologia Anatomica 2, the thoracic lymph nodes are subdivided into three groups:
The accurate delineation and assessment of these lymph node stations are essential for staging lung cancer, as lymph node involvement significantly impacts prognosis and treatment decisions. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) node map provides detailed definitions and boundaries for these nodal stations, with a nomenclature that is different from the Terminologia Anatomica, in the IASLC Thoracic lymph node map
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