Besides the parasternal lymph nodes, which lymph node group receives drainage from the mammary gland?

• A. Submandibular
• B. Axillary
• C. Inguinal
• D. Pelvic

Answer: (B)

Lymph from the breast mainly drains into the axillary lymph nodes, with a secondary path to the parasternal (internal thoracic) nodes. When excluding the parasternal route, the axillary group is the primary recipient because the lateral and upper outer parts of the breast channel lymph through the subareolar plexus to the pectoral (anterior) axillary nodes, then onward to central and apical nodes. The other options are not involved with breast drainage: submandibular nodes drain the face and oral cavity, inguinal nodes drain the lower limb and lower abdomen, and pelvic nodes drain pelvic organs.