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[Lymphatic system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/lymphatic-system/) · [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/)

# Common iliac lymph nodes

The iliac nodes are lymph nodes along the iliac vessels in the [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/); they relay lymph from the pelvis and legs up to the nodes beside the aorta.

Official name: Common iliac nodes

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## What it is

Lymph nodes along the common iliac vessels.

## What it does

Collect lymph from the pelvis and legs.

## Key points

- The relay between the pelvic nodes (external iliac, internal iliac, sacral) and the para-aortic nodes
- [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) lymph runs from the inguinal to the external iliac, then the common iliac and the lumbar nodes
- Whether common iliac nodes count as regional or distant spread differs between pelvic cancers, which changes stage and radiotherapy fields

## 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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/); the [ureter](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/) crossing the end of the [common iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-iliac-artery/) at the pelvic brim; on the left, the root of the sigmoid [mesocolon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mesocolon/)

**Behind**
The [obturator nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-hypogastric-plexus/)

**Lateral**
[Psoas major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/psoas-major/), with the [genitofemoral nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/genitofemoral-nerve/) on its surface

## How to find it

Found in pelvic lymphadenectomy after the posterior peritoneum is opened: [external iliac nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-nodes/) along the [external iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-artery/) and vein, [obturator nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/obturator-nodes/) in the fossa below the vein around the obturator nerve, internal iliac nodes along the branches of the [internal iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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

- Cancers of the [stomach](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/stomach/) and [pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/) spread to them; surgeons remove them with the tumour.

## Clinical notes

- Removed in extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical, endometrial, bladder and [prostate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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.

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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](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/common-iliac-nodes/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-iliac-nodes/