An apical (or medial or subclavicular) group of six to twelve glands is situated partly posterior to the upper portion of the

Pectoralis minor Pectoralis minor muscle () is a thin, triangular muscle, situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. Structure Attachments Pectoralis minor muscle arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces ...

and partly above the upper border of this muscle. Its only direct territorial afferents are those that accompany the

cephalic vein In human anatomy, the cephalic vein is a superficial vein in the arm. It originates from the radial end of the dorsal venous network of hand, and ascends along the radial (lateral) side of the arm before emptying into the axillary vein. At the ...

, and one that drains the upper peripheral part of the mamma. However, it receives the efferents of all the other axillary glands. The efferent vessels of the subclavicular group unite to form the

subclavian trunk The efferent vessels of the subclavicular group unite to form the subclavian trunk, which opens either directly into the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins or into the jugular lymphatic trunk; on the left side it may end in th ...

, which opens either directly into the junction of the internal jugular and

subclavian vein The subclavian vein is a paired large vein, one on either side of the body, that is responsible for draining blood from the upper extremities, allowing this blood to return to the heart. The left subclavian vein plays a key role in the absorption ...

s or into the jugular lymphatic trunk; on the left side it may end in the

thoracic duct In human anatomy, the thoracic duct is the larger of the two lymph ducts of the lymphatic system. It is also known as the ''left lymphatic duct'', ''alimentary duct'', ''chyliferous duct'', and ''Van Hoorne's canal''. The other duct is the righ ...

. A few efferents from the subclavicular glands usually pass to the inferior deep cervical glands.

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