From the Guidelines
Epitrochlear nodes are located on the medial side of the arm, approximately 2-3 cm above the elbow crease, just above and behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus bone. These lymph nodes are superficial, situated in the subcutaneous tissue between the biceps and triceps muscles, and typically measure about 0.5-2 cm in size. As described in the patient evaluation in the study by 1, lymph node evaluation includes assessment of the epitrochlear nodes, among others, to check for adenopathy or metastatic disease. The epitrochlear nodes play a crucial role in draining lymphatic fluid from the medial fingers, palm, and forearm before it continues towards the axillary lymph nodes. Key points about epitrochlear nodes include:
- Location: Medial side of the arm, above the elbow crease
- Size: Typically 0.5-2 cm
- Function: Drain lymphatic fluid from the medial forearm, fingers, and palm
- Clinical significance: Enlargement may indicate infections, inflammatory conditions, or metastatic disease, as noted in the context of evaluating patients with conditions like Merkel cell carcinoma 1. In clinical practice, palpation of these nodes is an essential part of physical examination, especially when assessing for conditions that may cause lymphadenopathy.
From the Research
Location of Epitrochlear Nodes
- The epitrochlear nodes are located in the epitrochlear region, near the elbow 2, 3.
- Specifically, they are found in the area between the medial humeral epicondyle and the olecranon 4, 5.
- This region is also associated with the cubital tunnel, where the ulnar nerve passes through 4, 5.
Anatomical Relationship
- The epitrochlear nodes are related to the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle, which is an anomalous muscle that can cause ulnar nerve compression 4, 5.
- The nodes are also associated with the medial epicondyle, the medial head of the triceps, and the medial intermuscular septum 5.
Clinical Significance
- Enlargement of the epitrochlear nodes can be secondary to a pathological process, such as infection, inflammation, or malignancy 2, 3.
- The differential diagnosis for enlarged epitrochlear nodes is relatively narrow, and distinguishing them from benign and malignant non-nodal soft tissue masses is important 3.