American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Level I lymph nodes, also known as the lateral axillary group, are situated lateral to the lateral border of the pectoralis minor muscle. These nodes are involved in the drainage of lymph and are important when evaluating breast cancer and other conditions that may metastasize to the axillary region. Their anatomic location makes them accessible during surgical procedures such as sentinel node biopsies. Understanding the location of these nodes is essential for surgical planning, particularly in oncological surgeries. Their position also relates to their function in lymphatic drainage, as they help filter lymphatic fluid from neighboring tissues, making their sampling crucial in assessing the spread of malignancies. Therefore, identifying Level I nodes as being lateral to the pectoralis minor reinforces the significance of their anatomical relationships in clinical practice.