Approximately what percentage of lymphatic drainage travels through the axillary lymph nodes?

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Most lymph from the breast drains into the axillary lymph nodes, making them the primary drainage basin. About three quarters of the lymphatic flow—from the breast region—reaches the axillary nodes, while the rest goes to the internal mammary (parasternal) nodes and other routes. This predominance is why axillary nodal involvement is the most common route for breast cancer spread and is a focus in staging and biopsy. So, roughly 75% of drainage travels through the axillary lymph nodes.