lymphatics
Last reviewed 01/2018
The oesophageal lymphatics pass to different groups of lymph nodes depending on their position:
- cervical oesophagus: to deep cervical nodes
- thoracic oesophagus: to posterior mediastinal nodes
- abdominal oesophagus: to left gastric nodes and preaortic nodes of coeliac group
To reach these destinations, the lymphatics run with local vessels.
Within the submucosa of the oesophagus, lymphatic channels run for long distances longitudinally. Consequently, oesophageal carcinoma, for example, can present with lymphadenopathy in more than one group.