LYMPHATICS OF ABDOMEN 



731 



The superior mesenteric group is larger, and is continuous with the mesenteric 

 nodes lying in the root of the mesentery. This group drains the remainder of the 

 small intestine, the csecum and appendix, the ascending and transverse colons, and 

 the pancreas. 



The inferior mesenteric group usually has two nodes, one on either side of the 

 artery. It drains the rectum and descending and sigmoid colons. All the nodes 

 in the mesentery and intestinal walls may be considered as outlying nodes of the 

 pre-aortic group. They will be studied in connection with the visceral lymphatics. 



The inferior mesenteric nodes drain into the neighbouring lumbar nodes, and 

 also directly upward to the superior mesenteric nodes, and then again to the 

 coeliac nodes. From the last a single stem, the intestinal trunk, arises and passes 

 either to the right lumbar trunk or directly to the thoracic duct, forming the 

 third of the so-called trunks of origin of the duct. 



Fig. 574. — Abdominal Aortic Nodes in the New-born. (Poirier and Charpy.) 



Inferior phrenic 

 artery 



Superior mesen- 

 teric artery 



Suprarenal gland 



Left spermatic 

 vein 



Right aortic node-- 



Ureter 



Node of external, 

 iliac chain 



Left aortic nodes 



-Inferior mesenteric 

 node 



Hypogastric artery 



Rectum 



The post-aortic nodes are not true regional nodes, but receive vessels from the 

 lumbar and pre-aortic chains. 



Below the bifurcation of the aorta there are three large chains, the common 

 iliac, the external iliac, and the hypogastric. 



The common iliac nodes [Igl. iliacae], are in three groups (fig. 575). The 

 external set consists of about two nodes, which are in reality a part of a continuous 

 chain extending along the side of the aorta, common iliac, and external iliac 

 arteries. A second set of two to four 'posterior nodes lies behind the artery. 

 These two groups receive the efferent vessels of the external iliac and hypogastric 

 chains. The internal set usually consists of two nodes which rest upon the 

 promontory of the sacrum. They receive vessels from the sacral nodes, together 

 with most of those from the pelvic viscera, namely, from the prostate, neck of 

 the bladder, neck of the uterus, the vagina, and part of the rectum. The efferent 

 lymphatic vessels of the common ihac nodes pass to the lumbar chain. 



