Where are the sentinel nodes, also known as Virchow's nodes, primarily located?

Sentinel nodes, or Virchow's nodes, are primarily located in the left supraclavicular area. They are called sentinel nodes because they serve as early warning signs for the presence of disease, particularly cancer that has metastasized to the lymphatic system. In adults, an enlarged left supraclavicular node often indicates a possible malignancy in the abdominal area, including conditions like gastric cancer or other cancers that could spread via the thoracic duct.

The anatomical position of Virchow's nodes is significant because of the lymphatic drainage patterns. The left supraclavicular nodes receive lymphatic drainage from the thorax and abdomen, making them critical for assessing systemic disease spread, especially gastrointestinal cancers.

Other options refer to lymph node groups that do not typically involve Virchow's nodes. The right axillary area refers to lymph nodes that primarily drain the upper limb and breast and are not indicative of issues related to the abdominal cavity. The posterior cervical chain is involved in drainage from the scalp and neck, and the submandibular chain is primarily associated with drainage from the oral cavity, neither of which is suggestive of the sentinel nodes in this context.