Supraclavicular lymph nodes

Supraclavicular lymph nodes are lymph nodes located above the clavicle also known as collarbone]]

Virchow's nodes

• The supraclavicular lymph nodes on the left side are called Virchow's nodes.
• The left supraclavicular nodes (Virchow's node) receive lymphatic drainage of most of the body (from the thoracic duct) and enters the venous circulation via the left

subclavian vein.

Clinical significance

An enlarged Virchow's node as seen on CT

Since the lymphatic drainage from the abdomen is connected to the left side, malignancies of the internal organs metastasize is one of the left supraclavicular lymph node.

The metastasis may block the thoracic duct which leads to regurgitation into the surrounding Virchow's nodes

Rudolph Virchow

• Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902) was a German pathologist that first described the nodes.
• He also described the association of these nodes with gastric cancer in 1848.

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