The axillary lymph nodes should be examined in the order of the axillary apical group, the central group, the pectoralis muscle group, the subscapular group, and the extra-scapular group. The examiner should stand in front of the patient, put all four fingers together, and start palpating from the top of the axilla, gradually move toward the medial wall of the axilla, near the rib cage, and then examine the deeper part of the inferior border of the pectoralis major muscle, the posterior axillary fold, and the lateral wall of the axilla, and gradually palpate for any enlarged lymph nodes within the skin. If swollen lymph nodes can be palpated, the number and mobility of the lymph nodes should be described, and whether they are fused into a mass.