During axillary surgery for breast cancer, nodes are identified lying medial to (deep to) the medial border of pectoralis minor, near the apex of the axilla. According to the standard anatomical classification, these belong to which level?

• A Level I
• B Level II
• C Rotter's interpectoral group
• D Level III ✓

Explanation

Axillary nodes are classified by their relation to pectoralis minor: lateral to its lateral border is level I, behind the muscle is level II, and medial to its medial border up to the apex is level III, also called the apical group. Rotter's nodes lie between pectoralis major and minor and are part of the interpectoral group, not defined by the pectoralis minor borders used for levels.

Reference: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.