Common iliac lymph nodes !
The iliac nodes are lymph nodes along the iliac vessels in the pelvis; they relay lymph from the pelvis and legs up to the nodes beside the aorta.
Official name: Common iliac nodes
Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.
What it is
Lymph nodes along the common iliac vessels.
What it does
Collect lymph from the pelvis and legs.
Key facts
- Where
- Along common iliac vessels from aortic bifurcation (L4) to iliac bifurcation; lateral, medial, intermediate, subaortic and promontory groups
- Drains
- External and internal iliac nodes: lower limb, pelvic organs, lower abdominal wall, perineum
- Into
- Lumbar (para-aortic) nodes
Relations
- Course
- Collect lymph from the external and internal iliac nodes and pass it upward to the lumbar (para-aortic) nodes
- In front
- Peritoneum; the ureter crossing the end of the common iliac artery at the pelvic brim; on the left, the root of the sigmoid mesocolon
- Behind
- The obturator nerve and lumbosacral trunk, deep to the common iliac vessels; the body of L5
- Medial
- Subaortic (promontory) nodes in front of L5 and the sacral promontory, beside the superior hypogastric plexus
- Lateral
- Psoas major, with the genitofemoral nerve on its surface
How to find it
Found in pelvic lymphadenectomy after the posterior peritoneum is opened: external iliac nodes along the external iliac artery and vein, obturator nodes in the fossa below the vein around the obturator nerve, internal iliac nodes along the branches of the internal iliac artery, and common iliac nodes higher up beside the common iliac vessels.
On imaging
Seen on CT, MRI or PET-CT along the common iliac vessels from the aortic bifurcation (about L4) to the pelvic brim; intravenous contrast helps tell nodes from vessels and the ureter.
Common problems
Clinical notes
- Removed in extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical, endometrial, bladder and prostate cancer
- The ureter and the obturator nerve are at risk during their dissection
- A lymphocele (lymph-filled cyst) can form after pelvic node dissection or kidney transplantation
- Lymphoedema of the leg can follow removal or radiotherapy of the iliac and inguinal nodes
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What is the role of the common iliac lymph nodes?
They relay lymph from the external iliac, internal iliac and sacral nodes up to the lumbar (para-aortic) nodes.
What is the lymph pathway from the lower limb?
Inguinal nodes, then external iliac, then common iliac, then lumbar (para-aortic) nodes.
Which structures are at risk during common iliac node dissection?
The ureter and the obturator nerve.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- nodi iliaci communes TA2 5319
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Nódulos linfáticos ilíacos comunes DeCS D008198
- English (TA2)
- Common iliac nodes
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); DeCS; Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Lymphatic Drainage.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
