Level VI lymph nodes: an anatomic study of lymph nodes located between the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the right common carotid artery.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the presence of lymph nodes and their relationships with demographic and anthropometric characteristics in a specific region, not yet described in anatomy compendiums, called by us Recurrent Carotid Recess (RCR) and located among the right recurrent laryngeal nerve, the right common carotid artery, and the right inferior thyroid artery. Methods: 32 right cervical regions were harvested from cadavers within 24 hours post-mortem. The fibro-fatty tissue of the RCR was resected and prepared with formalin fixation. It was then subjected to an increasing sequence of alcohols (70%, 80%, and 90%), subsequently to a solution of Xylol, and finally to a solution of Methyl Salicylate, respecting the time required for each step. The macroscopic study was carried out on the diaphanized piece, observing the presence or not of lymph nodes. When present, they were photographed and their measurements were gauged with a digital caliper. In the microscopic study, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to confirm the lymph node. Results: the presence of lymph nodes was observed in 22 (68.75%) of the 32 specimens. The number of lymph nodes ranged from zero to six (mean of 1.56±0.29), per cadaver, and their mean size was 7.82mmx3.86mm (longitudinal x transversal diameters). Conclusion: the relationship between anthropometric data and presence of lymph nodes in the RCR (Fisher’s exact test) was significant for medium-height individuals (p=0.03) and also white ones (p=0.04).

摘要

目的：描述特定区域内淋巴结的存在情况及其与人口学、人体测量学特征的关联，该区域尚未在解剖学手册中记载，我们将其命名为复发性颈动脉隐窝（Recurrent Carotid Recess, RCR），其位置介于右侧喉返神经、右侧颈总动脉与右侧甲状腺下动脉之间。

方法：采集32具尸体的右侧颈部区域标本，采集时间为死后24小时内。对复发性颈动脉隐窝的纤维脂肪组织进行切除并经福尔马林固定处理，随后依次经浓度梯度为70%、80%、90%的乙醇脱水，经二甲苯透明处理，最后经水杨酸甲酯处理，严格遵循各步骤所需的时长。对该透明化标本进行大体形态学观察，记录淋巴结的存在与否；若存在淋巴结，则进行拍照记录，并采用数显卡尺测量其尺寸。显微观察采用苏木精-伊红染色（hematoxylin-eosin staining）法确认淋巴结组织。

结果：32份标本中，22份（68.75%）观察到淋巴结存在。每具尸体的淋巴结数量介于0至6枚，平均数量为1.56±0.29枚；淋巴结平均尺寸为7.82mm×3.86mm（纵径×横径）。

结论：采用费希尔精确检验（Fisher’s exact test）分析复发性颈动脉隐窝内淋巴结存在情况与人体测量学数据的关联，结果显示中等身高个体（p=0.03）及白种人群（p=0.04）的关联具有统计学显著性。