Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Practice Exam

What is the tributary region of the left axillary lymph nodes?

1. Left upper extremity, left upper quadrant, left mammary gland

2. Left lower extremity, left external genitals, left buttock and abdominal quadrant

3. Left and right upper quadrants, both upper extremities

4. Left side of the face, head, and neck, left mammary gland, left upper extremity

The correct answer is: Left upper extremity, left upper quadrant, left mammary gland

The left axillary lymph nodes primarily drain lymphatic fluid from structures located in the left upper extremity, the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and the left mammary gland. The axillary region collects lymphatic drainage from these specific areas due to their anatomical proximity and the interconnected lymphatic vessels that direct lymph toward the axillary nodes. The left upper extremity includes the arm, hand, and shoulder on the left side, which is directly connected to the left axillary nodes. Similarly, the left upper quadrant encompasses structures in the upper left abdominal area, including parts of the stomach and spleen. The left mammary gland is crucial as breast tissue drains lymph into the axillary lymph nodes, making this connection significant for conditions such as breast cancer. In contrast, the other options include areas that either do not drain into the left axillary lymph nodes or involve structures in the right upper quadrant or the lower body, which are unrelated to the left axillary region specifically. Thus, the original answer pinpointing the tributary regions correctly aligns with the established lymphatic drainage pathways in the left side of the body.