A 45-year-old woman presents with an indurated ulcer on the dorsal surface of the right ring finger. Which lymph nodes would initially become enlarged with infection of this lesion?

• A Right axillary pectoral (anterior) nodes
• B Right infraclavicular nodes
• C Right lateral axillary nodes
• D Right epitrochlear (cubital) nodes ✓

Explanation

Lymphatics from the medial three and a half fingers (middle, ring, and little finger, and medial half of the index finger) and the medial forearm drain first to the epitrochlear (cubital) lymph nodes located in the medial arm above the medial epicondyle. From there they drain to the lateral (brachial) axillary nodes. Infections or tumours of the ring finger on its medial (ulnar) side classically present with epitrochlear lymphadenopathy. Lateral finger lymphatics drain directly to axillary nodes. Infraclavicular nodes receive drainage from the lateral hand/thumb.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.