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

# Vesical nodes

The vesical nodes are small lymph nodes beside the bladder; they are the first filters for lymph from the bladder and drain on to the iliac nodes.

Official name: Lateral vesical nodes; prevesical nodes; postvesical nodes

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## What it is

Small lymph nodes around the bladder: in front (prevesical), at the sides (lateral vesical) and behind (postvesical).

## What it does

The first filters for lymph from the bladder; they drain on to the iliac nodes.

## Key points

- Small and inconstant first stop for bladder lymph; bladder cancer spreads next to the [obturator nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/obturator-nodes/), [external iliac nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-nodes/) and internal iliac nodes
- Nodal spread changes the stage and outlook of bladder cancer, so the pelvic nodes are removed with radical cystectomy

## Key facts

**Where**
Small nodes around the bladder along the vesical vessels: prevesical (in front), lateral vesical and postvesical (behind)

**Drains**
[Urinary bladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/urinary-bladder/)

**Into**
External and internal iliac nodes (bladder base also directly to internal iliac), then [common iliac nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-iliac-nodes/)

## Relations

**In front**
Prevesical nodes in the retropubic space, in front of the bladder

**Lateral**
Lateral vesical nodes along the vesical vessels and the obliterated umbilical artery

**Behind**
Postvesical nodes behind the bladder, near the [seminal vesicles](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/seminal-gland/) and the [ductus deferens](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ductus-deferens/)

## On imaging

Normal nodes are too small to see. CT or MRI judges nodes mainly by size, which misses small deposits; PET-CT can add information.

## Clinical notes

- Pelvic lymph node dissection with radical cystectomy removes the perivesical tissue with these nodes; an extended dissection reaches up to the common iliac nodes
- Enlarged nodes on imaging are not always cancer: inflammation after transurethral resection or an infection can also enlarge them, so nodal status is settled by pathology

## Test yourself

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

## Where are the vesical nodes, and how are they grouped?

Small nodes around the bladder along the vesical vessels: prevesical (in front), lateral vesical and postvesical (behind).

## To which nodes does bladder cancer spread after the vesical nodes?

The obturator, external iliac and internal iliac nodes, then the common iliac nodes.

## Why are the pelvic nodes removed with radical cystectomy?

Nodal spread changes the stage and outlook of bladder cancer.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
nodi vesicales laterales; nodi prevesicales; nodi postvesicales

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Nódulos linfáticos vesicales laterales, prevesicales y retrovesicales DeCS D008198

**English (TA2)**
Lateral vesical nodes; prevesical nodes; postvesical nodes

**Also called**
paravesical nodes

## Related

- [Urinary bladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/urinary-bladder/)

Sources: [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/lateral-vesical-nodes-prevesical-nodes-postvesical-nodes/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-vesical-nodes-prevesical-nodes-postvesical-nodes/