tracheobronchial lymph nodes (anatomy)
Last reviewed 01/2018
The tracheobronchial lymph nodes are the group of nodes formed from the convergence of bronchial nodes within the hila of the lungs. Superficial to the trachea, they extend medially to the carina and then superiorly to the inferior part of the thoracic trachea. During their ascent of the trachea, they overlap with, and supply efferent fibres to, the tracheal group of nodes. Individual groups of nodes are connected to each other by fine efferent lymphatic channels.
The tracheobronchial nodes can be divided into lateral and inferior groups. Ultimately, lymph from the tracheobronchial nodes travels superiorly via the bronchomediastinal trunks.
The bronchial nodes and tracheobronchial nodes are the groups which are frequently enlarged in pathology of the lung; together, they constitute the hilar nodes which may be visible radiographically as classical hilar lymphadenopathy.
lateral tracheobronchial lymph nodes
inferior tracheobronchial lymph nodes