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Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Human Structure Module
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  9. Lymphatics of the Abdomen

Lymphatics of the Abdomen

StructureLocationAfferents fromEfferents toRegions drainedNotes
anterior mediastinal nodesalong the course of the brachiocephalic vessels and aortalymphatic vessels from the anterior mediastinum and middle mediastinumbronchomediastinal trunkthymus, anterior respiratory diaphragm, pericardium, part of the heartanterior mediastinal nodes are from 2 to 5 in number
celiac nodesaround the celiac trunkhepatic nodes, gastric nodes, pancreaticosplenic nodesintestinal lymph trunkliver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen, pancreasceliac nodes are from 3 to 6 in number
cisterna chylibetween 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 trunkthoracic ductall 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, middlealong the course of the middle colic vesselsperipheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesentery superior mesenteric nodestransverse colonmiddle colic nodes are approximately 40 in number
colic nodes, rightalong the course of the right colic vesselsperipheral nodes located along the marginal a.superior mesenteric nodesascending colon, cecumright colic nodes are approximately 70 in number
common iliac nodesalong the common iliac vessels; over the sacral promontoryexternal iliac nodes, internal iliac nodeslumbar (lateral aortic) chain of nodeslower limb; pelvic organs, perineum, lower part of the anterior abdominal wallcommon iliac nodes are approximately 6 in number
cystic nodenear the neck of the gall bladderlymphatic vessels of the gall bladderhepatic nodesgall bladdercystic node drains to the node of the omental foramen, then to hepatic nodes
deep inguinal nodesalong the medial side of the femoral v. deep to the fascia lata and inguinal ligamentsuperficial inguinal nodes, popliteal nodesexternal iliac nodeslower limb, external genitalia, lower part of the anterior abdominal wallthe deep inguinal node in the femoral canal is called the node (or gland) of Cloquet
external iliac nodesalong the external iliac vesselssuperficial inguinal nodes; deep inguinal nodes; inferior epigastric nodes
common iliac nodeslower limb; external genitalia; lower part of the anterior abdominal wallexternal iliac nodes are 8 to 10 in number
gastric nodes, lefton the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the left gastric
vessels
lymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomachceliac nodeslesser curvature of the stomachleft gastric nodes are 10 to 20 in number
gastric nodes, righton the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the right gastric vesselslymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomachceliac nodeslesser curvature of the stomachright gastric nodes are 2 to 3 in number
gastro-omental nodes, lefton the greater curvature of the stomach, along the left gastro-omental vessels
lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomachsplenic nodesleft half of the greater curvature of the stomachleft gastro-omental nodes are 1 or 2 in number
gastro-omental nodes, righton the greater curvature of the stomach, along the right gastro-omental vessels lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomachpyloric nodesgreater curvature of the stomachright gastro-omental nodes are 6 to 12 in number
hepatic nodesalong the course of the common hepatic a.right gastric nodes, pyloric nodesceliac nodesliver 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 nodesalong the origin and terminal end of the ileocolic vesselsperipheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesenterysuperior mesenteric nodesileum, cecum, appendixileocolic nodes located near the ileocecal junction may be divided into two subsidiary groups: cecal nodes and appendicular nodes
iliac nodes, commonalong the common iliac vessels; over the sacral promontoryexternal iliac nodes, internal iliac nodeslumbar (lateral aortic) chain of nodeslower limb; pelvic organs, perineum, lower part of the anterior abdominal wallcommon iliac nodes are approximately 6 in number
iliac nodes, externalalong the external iliac vesselssuperficial inguinal nodes; deep inguinal nodes; inferior epigastric nodes
common iliac nodeslower limb; external genitalia; lower part of the anterior abdominal wallexternal iliac nodes are 8 to 10 in number
iliac nodes, internalalong the internal iliac vesselslymphatic vessels from the pelvic visceracommon iliac nodes, external iliac nodespelvis, perineum and gluteal regioninternal iliac nodes are 4 to 8 in number
inferior mesenteric nodesaround the root of the inferior mesenteric a.peripheral nodes located along the marginal a.lumbar chain of nodes, superior mesenteric nodesdistal 1/3 of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectuminferior mesenteric nodes may number as high as 90; an important node group in cases of cancer of the colon and rectum
inguinal nodes, deepalong the medial side of the femoral v. deep to the fascia lata and inguinal ligamentsuperficial inguinal nodes, popliteal nodesexternal iliac nodeslower limb, external genitalia, lower part of the anterior abdominal wallthe deep inguinal node in the femoral canal is called the node (or gland) of Cloquet
inguinal nodes, superficialin 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, perineumexternal iliac nodes; deep inguinal nodeslower 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 nodesnear the heads of the ribslymphatic vessels from the intercostal spacecisterna chyli/thoracic duct, jugulosubclavian ductintercostal space and posterolateral thoracic wallusually two nodes occur in each intercostal space
internal iliac nodesalong the internal iliac vesselslymphatic vessels from the pelvic visceracommon iliac nodes, external iliac nodespelvis, perineum and gluteal regioninternal iliac nodes are 4 to 8 in number
intestinal lymphatic trunkleft side of the abdominal aorta or between the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava near the level of the superior mesenteric arteryunion of efferent lymphatic vessels from the celiac nodes and superior mesenteric nodesleft lumbar trunk or the cisterna chyli/thoracic ductlarge and small intestinesintestinal 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 nodesadjacent to the cervical viscera cervical viscerasuperior deep cervical nodes, inferior deep cervical nodesesophagus, larynx, trachea and thyroid glandfour groups of juxtavisceral nodes are recognized: infrahyoid, prelaryngeal, pretracheal and paratracheal
lateral aortic nodesalong the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta from the aortic bifurcation to the aortic hiatus of the diaphragmcommon iliac nodes; lymphatic vessels from the posterior abdominal wall and visceraefferents form one lumbar trunk on each sidelower limb; pelvic organs; perineum; anterior and posterior abdominal wall; kidney; suprarenal gland; respiratory diaphragmalso 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 nodeson the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the left gastric vesselslymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomachceliac nodeslesser curvature of the stomachleft gastric nodes are 10 to 20 in number
left gastro-omental nodeson the greater curvature of the stomach, along the left gastro-omental vessels
lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomachsplenic nodesleft half of the greater curvature of the stomachleft gastro-omental nodes are 1 or 2 in number
lumbar nodesalong the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta from the aortic bifurcation to the aortic hiatus of the diaphragmcommon iliac nodes; lymphatic vessels from the posterior abdominal wall and visceraefferents form one lumbar trunk on each sidelower limb; pelvic organs; perineum; anterior and posterior abdominal wall; kidney; suprarenal gland; respiratory diaphragmalso 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 trunkbetween 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 trunkthoracic duct/cisterna chylileft lumbar trunk - left side of the body below the respiratory diaphragm, gut; right lumbar trunk - right side of body below the diaphragmlumbar 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 nodesalong the vasa recta and branches of the superior mesenteric a. between the leaves of peritoneum forming the mesenteryperipheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesenterysuperior mesenteric nodessmall intestinemesenteric nodes may number as many as 200; an important node group in cases of intestinal cancer
mesenteric nodes, inferioraround the root of the inferior mesenteric a.peripheral nodes located along the marginal a.lumbar chain of nodes, superior mesenteric nodesdistal 1/3 of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectuminferior mesenteric nodes may number as high as 90; an important node group in cases of cancer of the colon and rectum
mesenteric nodes, superioralong the course of the superior mesenteric a.mesenteric nodes, ileocolic nodes, right colic nodes, middle colic nodesceliac nodes, intestinal lymph trunkgut 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 nodesalong the course of the middle colic vesselsperipheral nodes located along the attachment of the mesentery superior mesenteric nodestransverse colonmiddle colic nodes are approximately 40 in number
pancreaticoduodenal nodesalong the pancreaticoduodenal arcade of vesselslymphatic vessels from the duodenum and pancreaspyloric nodesduodenum and head of the pancreaslymph from the pancreas is drained in three different directions: pancreaticoduodenal nodes, pancreaticosplenic nodes, superior mesenteric nodes
pancreaticosplenic nodesalong the splenic vesselslymphatic vessels from the pancreas and greater curvature of the stomachceliac nodesneck, 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 nodesaround the esophagogastric junction lymphatic vessels of the fundus and cardia of the stomachleft gastric nodesfundus and cardia of the stomachparacardial nodes are 5 or 6 in number
pararectal nodesalong the course of the superior rectal vesselslymphatic vessels from the rectum and anal canalinferior mesenteric nodesrectum and anal canalpararectal nodes are small lymph nodes that are not well localized
pyloric nodesnear the termination of the gastroduodenal a.pancreaticoduodenal nodeshepatic nodeshead of pancreas and duodenum; right half of greater curvature of stomachpyloric nodes are 6 to 8 in number
right colic nodesalong the course of the right colic vesselsperipheral nodes located along the marginal a.superior mesenteric nodesascending colon, cecumright colic nodes are approximately 70 in number
right gastric nodeson the lesser curvature of the stomach, along the course of the right gastric
vessels
lymphatic vessels from the lesser curvature of the stomachceliac nodeslesser curvature of the stomachright gastric nodes are 2 to 3 in number
right gastro-omental nodeson the greater curvature of the stomach, along the right gastro-omental
vessels
lymphatic vessels from the greater curvature of the stomachpyloric nodesgreater curvature of the stomachright gastro-omental nodes are 6 to 12 in number
sacral nodesalong the course of the lateral sacral aa.lymphatic vessels from the pelvic visceracommon iliac nodesprostate gland, uterus, vagina, rectum, posterior pelvic wallsacral nodes are 2 or 3 in number
spleenin 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-lymphocytesspleen contains nodules of lymphatic tissue
superficial inguinal nodesin 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, perineumexternal iliac nodes; deep inguinal nodeslower 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 nodesalong the course of the superior mesenteric a.mesenteric nodes, ileocolic nodes, right colic nodes, middle colic nodesceliac nodes, intestinal lymph trunkgut 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 ductbetween the esophagus anteriorly and the thoracic vertebral bodies posteriorlyformed by the union of the lumbar lymph trunks, sometimes dilated to form a cisterna chylijunction 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 diaphragmthoracic 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)
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