C) Mediastinal Lymph Nodes
Mediastinal nodes have numerous stations to allow surgical and radiological correlation.
| Station | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2R / 2L | Upper Paratracheal | Right - Bounded superiorly by the apex of the lung, laterally by the pleura, medially by the trachea, inferiorly by the intersection of the caudal border of the brachiocephalic artery and trachea. Left – As for right, except the inferior boundary is formed by the superior part of the arch of aorta |
| 4R / 4L | Lower Paratracheal | Right – Bounded above by station 2R, inferiorly by the caudal margin of the azygos vein. Left – Bounded superiorly by station 2L, laterally by the ligamentum arteriosum, and inferiorly by the carina |
| 5 | Aortopulmonary | Located lateral to the ligamentum arteriosum and above the pulmonary artery / trunk |
| 6 | Anterior mediastinum | The space located anterior to the trachea, pulmonary arteries, aorta and ligamentum arteriosum |
| 7 | Subcarinal | The mediastinum beneath the carina, medial to station 9 |
| 8 | Paraoesophageal | The mediastinum posterior to the trachea, on either side of the oesophagus |
| 9R / 9L | Pulmonary Ligament | Located within the pulmonary ligament, inferior to the root of the lung |
| 10R / 10L | Tracheobronchial | Right - Superior to the carina / right main bronchus, medial to the origin of the right upper lobe bronchus, and inferior to station 4R Left – Lateral and superior to the carina / left main bronchus, medial to the origin of the left upper lobe bronchus, and inferior to station 4L |
| 11R / 11L | Interlobar | Located between the junction of the lobar bronchi |
| 12R / 12L | Lobar | Located along the lobar bronchi |
| 13R / 13L | Segmental | Located along segmental bronchi |
| 14R / 14L | Subsegmental | Located along subsegmental bronchi |
A visual guide to the stations:
