A patient is found to have a melanoma originating in the skin of the left forearm. After removal of the tumor from the forearm, all axillary lymph nodes lateral to the medial edge of the pectoralis minor muscle are removed. Which axillary nodes would not be removed?
he lymph nodes lateral to the LATERAL edge of pectoralis minor are the lateral axillary nodes. Pectoral or anterior axillary nodes are deep to the lateral edge of the pectoralis major muscle. Central axillary nodes are found directly under pectoralis minor, while subscapular or posterior axillary nodes are adjacent to the subscapularis muscle. The apical axillary nodes are medial to the medial edge of pectoralis minor and so it won't be removed.
Apical lymph nodes
Central lymph nodes
Lateral lymph nodes
Pectoral lymph nodes