Rotter's lymph nodes
Encyclopedia
Rotter's lymph nodes are small interpectoral lymph nodes located between the pectoralis major
and pectoralis minor muscle
s. They receive lymphatic fluid
from the muscles and the mammary gland
, and deliver lymphatic fluid to the axillary lymphatic plexus
.
They are associated with breast cancer
, as the cancer
sometimes spreads (metastases) to the interpectoral lymph nodes. They are named after German surgeon
Josef Rotter (1857-1924), who described them in the late 19th century.
Pectoralis major muscle
The pectoralis major is a thick, fan-shaped muscle, situated at the chest of the body. It makes up the bulk of the chest muscles in the male and lies under the breast in the female...
and pectoralis minor muscle
Pectoralis minor muscle
The pectoralis minor is a thin, triangular muscle, situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major.-Origin and insertion:...
s. They receive lymphatic fluid
Lymphatic system
The lymphoid system is the part of the immune system comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes, and in the lymphoid follicles associated...
from the muscles and the mammary gland
Mammary gland
A mammary gland is an organ in mammals that produces milk to feed young offspring. Mammals get their name from the word "mammary". In ruminants such as cows, goats, and deer, the mammary glands are contained in their udders...
, and deliver lymphatic fluid to the axillary lymphatic plexus
Axillary lymph nodes
The Axillary lymph nodes are of large size, vary from twenty to thirty in number, and may be arranged in the following groups:* brachial lymph nodes * pectoral axillary lymph nodes...
.
They are associated with breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, as the cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
sometimes spreads (metastases) to the interpectoral lymph nodes. They are named after German surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
Josef Rotter (1857-1924), who described them in the late 19th century.