Method Of Exam

• Stand in front of the patient.
• Have the patient relax her left hand over your right arm.
• Keep your left hand over the patient's shoulder.
  • Feel for both the apical and medial nodes with your right hand.
  • Roll the soft tissue of the axilla over the ribs with your fingers. While supporting the anterior axillary fold, attempt to feel the anterior (pectoral) axillary nodes.
  • Move slightly posteriorly-dorsally and have the patient now relax his right hand over your left arm. Attempt to feel the lateral axillary nodes by rolling your fingers under the humerus.
  • While supporting the post axillary fold, feel the posterior axillary nodes (subscapular).
• Repeat these steps for the opposite side.
• Repeat the examination in the recumbent (supine) position.