The deep lymph plexuses of the lung from follicles in the submucosa of the bronchial tree distal to the respiratory bronchioles. There is no drainage from the alveoli. Also, the deep plexuses drain connective tissue between bronchi.
In tandem with the bronchi and the bronchial vessels, the efferent lymph vessels from the deep plexuses converge on successively larger groups of nodes. Pulmonary nodes are formed at the convergence of lymph channels at the 'apex' of individual bronchopulmonary segments. Pulmonary nodes converge on the bronchial nodes at the 'apex' of individual lobar bronchi; the latter then pass to the tracheobronchial nodes. Tracheobronchial nodes then pass to the bronchomediastinal lymph trunks which pass superiorly deep to the great veins to merge with the junctions of the subclavian and internal jugular veins on each side.
Alternatively, the bronchomediastinal trunk on the left can ascend to join the thoracic duct.
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