| Structure | Location | Afferents from | Efferents to | Regions drained | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| anterior mediastinal nodes | along the course of the brachiocephalic vessels and aorta | lymphatic vessels from the anterior mediastinum and middle mediastinum | bronchomediastinal trunk | thymus, anterior respiratory diaphragm, pericardium, part of the heart | anterior mediastinal nodes are from 2 to 5 in number |
| celiac nodes | around the celiac trunk | hepatic nodes, gastric nodes, pancreaticosplenic nodes | intestinal lymph trunk | liver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen, pancreas | celiac nodes are from 3 to 6 in number |
| cisterna chyli | between the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava anterior to the body of the L1 or L2 vertebra | right and & left lumbar trunks; possibly the intestinal trunk | thoracic duct | all of the body below the respiratory diaphragm; all of the abdominal and pelvic viscera | cisterna chyli is an enlargement of the lower end of the thoracic duct; it occurs in about 25% of individuals |
| colic nodes, middle | along the course of the middle colic vessels | peripheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesentery | superior mesenteric nodes | transverse colon | middle colic nodes are approximately 40 in number |
| colic nodes, right | along the course of the right colic vessels | peripheral nodes located along the marginal a. | superior mesenteric nodes | ascending colon, cecum | right colic nodes are approximately 70 in number |
| common iliac nodes | along the common iliac vessels; over the sacral promontory | external iliac nodes, internal iliac nodes | lumbar (lateral aortic) chain of nodes | lower limb; pelvic organs, perineum, lower part of the anterior abdominal wall | common iliac nodes are approximately 6 in number |
| cystic node | near the neck of the gall bladder | lymphatic vessels of the gall bladder | hepatic nodes | gall bladder | cystic node drains to the node of the omental foramen, then to hepatic nodes |
| deep inguinal nodes | along the medial side of the femoral v. deep to the fascia lata and inguinal ligament | superficial inguinal nodes, popliteal nodes | external iliac nodes | lower limb, external genitalia, lower part of the anterior abdominal wall | the deep inguinal node in the femoral canal is called the node (or gland) of Cloquet |
| external iliac nodes | along the external iliac vessels | superficial inguinal nodes; deep inguinal nodes; inferior epigastric nodes | common iliac nodes | lower limb; external genitalia; lower part of the anterior abdominal wall | external iliac nodes are 8 to 10 in number |
| gastric nodes, left | on the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the left gastric vessels | lymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomach | celiac nodes | lesser curvature of the stomach | left gastric nodes are 10 to 20 in number |
| gastric nodes, right | on the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the right gastric vessels | lymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomach | celiac nodes | lesser curvature of the stomach | right gastric nodes are 2 to 3 in number |
| gastro-omental nodes, left | on the greater curvature of the stomach, along the left gastro-omental vessels | lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomach | splenic nodes | left half of the greater curvature of the stomach | left gastro-omental nodes are 1 or 2 in number |
| gastro-omental nodes, right | on the greater curvature of the stomach, along the right gastro-omental vessels | lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomach | pyloric nodes | greater curvature of the stomach | right gastro-omental nodes are 6 to 12 in number |
| hepatic nodes | along the course of the common hepatic a. | right gastric nodes, pyloric nodes | celiac nodes | liver and gall bladder; extrahepatic biliary apparatus; respiratory diaphragm; head of pancreas and duodenum | hepatic nodes drain a portion of the respiratory diaphragm because of the common embryonic origin of the diaphragm and the liver (septum transversum) |
| ileocolic nodes | along the origin and terminal end of the ileocolic vessels | peripheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesentery | superior mesenteric nodes | ileum, cecum, appendix | ileocolic nodes located near the ileocecal junction may be divided into two subsidiary groups: cecal nodes and appendicular nodes |
| iliac nodes, common | along the common iliac vessels; over the sacral promontory | external iliac nodes, internal iliac nodes | lumbar (lateral aortic) chain of nodes | lower limb; pelvic organs, perineum, lower part of the anterior abdominal wall | common iliac nodes are approximately 6 in number |
| iliac nodes, external | along the external iliac vessels | superficial inguinal nodes; deep inguinal nodes; inferior epigastric nodes | common iliac nodes | lower limb; external genitalia; lower part of the anterior abdominal wall | external iliac nodes are 8 to 10 in number |
| iliac nodes, internal | along the internal iliac vessels | lymphatic vessels from the pelvic viscera | common iliac nodes, external iliac nodes | pelvis, perineum and gluteal region | internal iliac nodes are 4 to 8 in number |
| inferior mesenteric nodes | around the root of the inferior mesenteric a. | peripheral nodes located along the marginal a. | lumbar chain of nodes, superior mesenteric nodes | distal 1/3 of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum | inferior mesenteric nodes may number as high as 90; an important node group in cases of cancer of the colon and rectum |
| inguinal nodes, deep | along the medial side of the femoral v. deep to the fascia lata and inguinal ligament | superficial inguinal nodes, popliteal nodes | external iliac nodes | lower limb, external genitalia, lower part of the anterior abdominal wall | the deep inguinal node in the femoral canal is called the node (or gland) of Cloquet |
| inguinal nodes, superficial | in the superficial fascia parallel to the inguinal ligament and along the terminal part of the greater saphenous v. | lymphatic vessels from the superficial lower limb, superficial abdominal wall, perineum | external iliac nodes; deep inguinal nodes | lower abdominal wall; external genitalia; superficial parts of the lower limb | superficial inguinal nodes are 12-20 in number; they become inflamed during infections of the lower limb; they may become inflamed during infections of the external genitalia |
| intercostal nodes | near the heads of the ribs | lymphatic vessels from the intercostal space | cisterna chyli/thoracic duct, jugulosubclavian duct | intercostal space and posterolateral thoracic wall | usually two nodes occur in each intercostal space |
| internal iliac nodes | along the internal iliac vessels | lymphatic vessels from the pelvic viscera | common iliac nodes, external iliac nodes | pelvis, perineum and gluteal region | internal iliac nodes are 4 to 8 in number |
| intestinal lymphatic trunk | left side of the abdominal aorta or between the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava near the level of the superior mesenteric artery | union of efferent lymphatic vessels from the celiac nodes and superior mesenteric nodes | left lumbar trunk or the cisterna chyli/thoracic duct | large and small intestines | intestinal lymph trunk carries lymph that is rich in fat; drains into the left lumbar trunk (70%), cisterna chyli (25%) or right lumbar trunk (5%) |
| juxtavisceral nodes | adjacent to the cervical viscera | cervical viscera | superior deep cervical nodes, inferior deep cervical nodes | esophagus, larynx, trachea and thyroid gland | four groups of juxtavisceral nodes are recognized: infrahyoid, prelaryngeal, pretracheal and paratracheal |
| lateral aortic nodes | along the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta from the aortic bifurcation to the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm | common iliac nodes; lymphatic vessels from the posterior abdominal wall and viscera | efferents form one lumbar trunk on each side | lower limb; pelvic organs; perineum; anterior and posterior abdominal wall; kidney; suprarenal gland; respiratory diaphragm | also known as: lumbar nodes; the intestinal trunk drains into to the left lumbar trunk; the lumbar trunks unite to form the thoracic duct/cisterna chyli |
| left gastric nodes | on the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the left gastric vessels | lymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomach | celiac nodes | lesser curvature of the stomach | left gastric nodes are 10 to 20 in number |
| left gastro-omental nodes | on the greater curvature of the stomach, along the left gastro-omental vessels | lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomach | splenic nodes | left half of the greater curvature of the stomach | left gastro-omental nodes are 1 or 2 in number |
| lumbar nodes | along the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta from the aortic bifurcation to the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm | common iliac nodes; lymphatic vessels from the posterior abdominal wall and viscera | efferents form one lumbar trunk on each side | lower limb; pelvic organs; perineum; anterior and posterior abdominal wall; kidney; suprarenal gland; respiratory diaphragm | also known as: lateral aortic nodes; the intestinal trunk drains into to the left lumbar trunk; the lumbar trunks unite to form the thoracic duct/cisterna chyli |
| lumbar trunk | between the lumbar vertebral bodies and inferior vena cava (right) or aorta (left) at the upper end of the lumbar chain of nodes | lumbar (lateral aortic) nodes; the intestinal trunk joins the left lumbar trunk | thoracic duct/cisterna chyli | left lumbar trunk - left side of the body below the respiratory diaphragm, gut; right lumbar trunk - right side of body below the diaphragm | lumbar trunks unite to form the lower end of the thoracic duct; an enlargement of the lower end of the thoracic duct (called the cisterna chyli) occurs in about 25% of individuals, and when it is present, the lumbar trunks drain into it |
| mesenteric nodes | along the vasa recta and branches of the superior mesenteric a. between the leaves of peritoneum forming the mesentery | peripheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesentery | superior mesenteric nodes | small intestine | mesenteric nodes may number as many as 200; an important node group in cases of intestinal cancer |
| mesenteric nodes, inferior | around the root of the inferior mesenteric a. | peripheral nodes located along the marginal a. | lumbar chain of nodes, superior mesenteric nodes | distal 1/3 of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum | inferior mesenteric nodes may number as high as 90; an important node group in cases of cancer of the colon and rectum |
| mesenteric nodes, superior | along the course of the superior mesenteric a. | mesenteric nodes, ileocolic nodes, right colic nodes, middle colic nodes | celiac nodes, intestinal lymph trunk | gut and viscera supplied by the superior mesenteric a. | superior mesenteric nodes are important in the spread of cancer from the small and large intestine |
| middle colic nodes | along the course of the middle colic vessels | peripheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesentery | superior mesenteric nodes | transverse colon | middle colic nodes are approximately 40 in number |
| pancreaticoduodenal nodes | along the pancreaticoduodenal arcade of vessels | lymphatic vessels from the duodenum and pancreas | pyloric nodes | duodenum and head of the pancreas | lymph from the pancreas is drained in three different directions: pancreaticoduodenal nodes, pancreaticosplenic nodes, superior mesenteric nodes |
| pancreaticosplenic nodes | along the splenic vessels | lymphatic vessels from the pancreas and greater curvature of the stomach | celiac nodes | neck, body and tail of the pancreas; left half of the greater curvature of the stomach | lymph from the pancreas is drained in three different directions: pandreaticoduodenal nodes, pancreaticosplenic nodes, superior mesenteric nodes |
| paracardial nodes | around the esophagogastric junction | lymphatic vessels of the fundus and cardia of the stomach | left gastric nodes | fundus and cardia of the stomach | paracardial nodes are 5 or 6 in number |
| pararectal nodes | along the course of the superior rectal vessels | lymphatic vessels from the rectum and anal canal | inferior mesenteric nodes | rectum and anal canal | pararectal nodes are small lymph nodes that are not well localized |
| pyloric nodes | near the termination of the gastroduodenal a. | pancreaticoduodenal nodes | hepatic nodes | head of pancreas and duodenum; right half of greater curvature of stomach | pyloric nodes are 6 to 8 in number |
| right colic nodes | along the course of the right colic vessels | peripheral nodes located along the marginal a. | superior mesenteric nodes | ascending colon, cecum | right colic nodes are approximately 70 in number |
| right gastric nodes | on the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the right gastric vessels | lymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomach | celiac nodes | lesser curvature of the stomach | right gastric nodes are 2 to 3 in number |
| right gastro-omental nodes | on the greater curvature of the stomach, along the right gastro-omental vessels | lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomach | pyloric nodes | greater curvature of the stomach | right gastro-omental nodes are 6 to 12 in number |
| sacral nodes | along the course of the lateral sacral aa. | lymphatic vessels from the pelvic viscera | common iliac nodes | prostate gland, uterus, vagina, rectum, posterior pelvic wall | sacral nodes are 2 or 3 in number |
| spleen | in the abdominal cavity below the left dome of the diaphragm, anterior to the left kidney | splenic brs. of the splenic a. | splenic v. | filters blood by phagocytosis; produces T & B-lymphocytes | spleen contains nodules of lymphatic tissue |
| superficial inguinal nodes | in the superficial fascia parallel to the inguinal ligament and along the terminal part of the greater saphenous v. | lymphatic vessels from the superficial lower limb, superficial abdominal wall, perineum | external iliac nodes; deep inguinal nodes | lower abdominal wall; external genitalia; superficial parts of the lower limb | superficial inguinal nodes are 12-20 in number; they become inflamed during infections of the lower limb; they may become inflamed during infections of the external genitalia |
| superior mesenteric nodes | along the course of the superior mesenteric a. | mesenteric nodes, ileocolic nodes, right colic nodes, middle colic nodes | celiac nodes, intestinal lymph trunk | gut and viscera supplied by the superior mesenteric a. | superior mesenteric nodes are important in the spread of cancer from the small and large intestine |
| thoracic duct | between the esophagus anteriorly and the thoracic vertebral bodies posteriorly | formed by the union of the lumbar lymph trunks, sometimes dilated to form a cisterna chyli | junction of the left subclavian v. and the left internal jugular v. | all of the body and limbs below the respiratory diaphragm; the left side of the chest, left upper limb and the left side of the head and neck above the diaphragm | thoracic duct is the largest lymphatic vessel; it passes through the aortic hiatus on the right side of aorta; it swings to the left side of the esophagus at the T4-T5 intervertebral disc (at the level of the sternal angle) |