Blood supply of the mammary gland (Fig. A.3)
: 1) rr. mammarii mediales from rr. perforantes, from a.
thoracica interna system;
2) rr. mammarii laterales from a. thoracica lateralis;
3) rr. perforantes from aa. intercostales.
Venous drainage to superior vena cava system occurs
through the homonymous veins.
The lymph outflows from breast in different ways, what has
a practical importance in metastastatic spread through these
ways in cases of malignant growth (breast cancer) (Fig. A.5).
The main direction of lymph drainage from breast is axillary
path which begins with 2 – 3 vessels which flow along the
inferior border as great vessels of pectoralis major muscle and
flow into nodi lymphoidei pectorales (Sorgius nodes). These
nodes are located along a. thoracica lateralis on the level of
the 2nd – 4th ribs. They are the most frequent focuses of
metastasis.
From these nodes the lymph drains to axillary lymph nodes,
nodi lymphoidei axillares centrales, and from nodi lymphoidei
axillares centrales – to nodi lymphoidei axillares apicales which
14 are located along v. axillaris. From nodi lymphoidei axillares
apicales the lymph drains to deep inferior cervix nodes or to
subclavian trunk. The Troisier’s lymph node has a clinical
relevance which is palpated in metastases above the clavicle
beside outer edge of sternocleidomastoid muscle.
From posterior part of mamma the lymphatic vessels go
along transpectoral path upwards while passing through m.
pectoralis major, go through nodi lymphoidei interpectorales
Rotter’s lymph nodes and fascia clavipectorale, and fall into
nodi lymphoidei axillares apicales or into deep cervix
(subclavian) nodes.
Moreover, the sternal path is important as well. It begins
from medial sternal segments, goes through m. pectoralis
major in intercostal spaces toward nodi lymphoidei
parasternales which are located along internal sternal vessels.
From nodi lymphoidei parasternales the lymph drains:
● from the left – into the left subclavian trunk and arch of
thoracic duct;
● from the right – into the right subclavian trunk, right
lymph duct or into nodi lymphoidei prepericardiaci.
Nodi lymphoidei prepericardiaci have connections with
tracheal and tracheal-bronchial nodes, as well as with
bronchial-pulmonic and infrapulmonary nodes.
Thus, metastasis of cancer from chest to lungs is possible.
Along the intercostal lymph vessels, the intercostal lymph
nodes anastomose with nodi lymphoidei intercostales and
nodi lymphoidei prevertebrales. Thus, metastasis of cancer
from chest to corpus vertebrae is possible as well.
The lymph vessels of right and left mammae are connected
together as by means of lymphatic reticulum of skin so
anastomoses of presternal lymph nodes from both sides.
The metastases of cancerous growths can effuse from
15 presternal lymph nodes along a. epigastrica superior et inferior
into anteperitoneal cellular tissue, perineal lymph nodes, and
abdominal cavity and gonads, and along ligamentum teres
hepatis – into liver.