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# Celiac and gastric lymph nodes

The celiac nodes are lymph nodes around the celiac trunk that filter lymph from the stomach, [liver](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/liver/), [spleen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spleen/) and pancreas; stomach cancer can spread to them.

Official name: Coeliac, gastric, splenic, pancreatic and hepatic nodes

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## What it is

Lymph nodes around the celiac trunk and along the stomach, spleen, pancreas and liver vessels (including the cystic node by the [gallbladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gallbladder/)).

## What it does

Filter lymph from the upper abdominal organs.

## Key points

- Final common station for the foregut: gastric, hepatic, splenic and pancreatic node groups along the celiac branches drain here, then to the intestinal trunk
- Gastric cancer is common in Colombia; a D2 gastrectomy removes the nodes along the left gastric, common hepatic and splenic arteries and around the [celiac trunk](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/celiac-trunk/)
- The cystic node (of Lund), in the hepatocystic (Calot) triangle, often lies over the [cystic artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cystic-artery/): a landmark in cholecystectomy

## Key facts

**Where**
Preaortic, around origin of celiac trunk (T12); fed by gastric, hepatic, splenic and pancreatic node groups along its branches

**Drains**
Foregut organs: stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, proximal [duodenum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/duodenum/)

**Into**
Intestinal trunk, then [cisterna chyli](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cisterna-chyli/)

## Relations

**In front**
[Lesser omentum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lesser-omentum/), lesser sac and [stomach](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/stomach/)

**Behind**
[Abdominal aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abdominal-aorta/) and the crura of the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/) at about T12

**Lateral**
The celiac ganglia and plexus, with which they are intermingled

**Below**
Upper border of the [pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/), with the [superior mesenteric nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-mesenteric-nodes/) below at the origin of the [superior mesenteric artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-mesenteric-artery/)

## How to find it

Not palpable. In gastrectomy they are cleared along the left gastric, common hepatic and splenic arteries up to the celiac trunk. On endoscopic ultrasound from the stomach they show as round, dark nodes beside the celiac origin, where a fine needle can sample them.

## On imaging

CT and endoscopic ultrasound stage them; endoscopic ultrasound can sample a celiac node with a fine needle. Nodes over about 1 cm in short [axis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axis/) are usually called enlarged, but size alone is unreliable.

## Common problems

- Cancers of the stomach and pancreas spread to them; surgeons remove them with the tumour.

## Clinical notes

- Celiac node involvement in pancreatic, gastric and esophageal cancer affects staging and the chance of removing the tumour
- Virchow node: cancer cells from the [abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) can travel up the [thoracic duct](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thoracic-duct/) to the left supraclavicular node (Troisier sign)
- Abdominal tuberculosis, still relevant in Colombia, often enlarges peripancreatic and periportal nodes, which may show a necrotic centre on CT
- Enlarged periportal nodes can press on the [bile duct](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bile-duct/) and cause jaundice

## Related conditions

- [Gastric cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gastric-cancer/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Where are the celiac lymph nodes, and where does their lymph go?

In front of the aorta around the celiac trunk origin (T12); they drain the foregut organs and pass lymph to the intestinal trunk and then the cisterna chyli.

## Which nodes does a D2 gastrectomy remove?

The nodes along the left gastric, common hepatic and splenic arteries and around the celiac trunk.

## What is the Virchow node?

The left supraclavicular node, reached by abdominal cancer cells travelling up the thoracic duct (Troisier sign).

## Why is the cystic node (of Lund) useful in cholecystectomy?

It lies in the hepatocystic (Calot) triangle, often over the cystic artery, so it guides the dissection.

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## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
nodi coeliaci TA2 5282

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Nódulos linfáticos celíacos DeCS D008198

**English (TA2)**
Coeliac, gastric, splenic, pancreatic and hepatic nodes

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=8375); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Lymphatic Drainage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557720/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/coeliac-gastric-splenic-pancreatic-and-hepatic-nodes/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/coeliac-gastric-splenic-pancreatic-and-hepatic-nodes/