What area does the supraclavicular and infraclavicular lymph nodes primarily drain?

The supraclavicular and infraclavicular lymph nodes primarily drain lymphatic fluid from the thoracic region. These areas are critical for filtering lymph that contains waste products, pathogens, and other substances from the tissues. Specifically, the supraclavicular lymph nodes receive drainage from the upper thorax and regions such as the breast, whereas the infraclavicular nodes also play a role in draining lymph from the upper extremities and parts of the chest wall.

The lymphatic drainage from these nodes is significant in the context of diagnosing various conditions, including cancer, as swelling in these nodes can indicate malignancies in the thoracic cavity or related areas. Therefore, recognizing the proper drainage areas of these lymph nodes is essential in both assessment and diagnosis.

In contrast, the other options, while involving lymphatic drainage, do not accurately reflect the primary drainage areas of the supraclavicular and infraclavicular nodes. The head primarily drains into cervical lymph nodes, the abdomen is drained by nodes associated with the mesenteric and paraaortic regions, and the central nervous system is drained by different pathways, primarily through the cervical lymph nodes and meningeal lymphatics rather than by supraclavicular or infraclavicular nodes.