Inferior superficial inguinal nodes

At a glance

English

Inferior superficial inguinal nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi inguinales superficiales inferiores

System

Lymphatic

Region

Whole body

Side

Paired, left and right

About the inferior superficial inguinal nodes

The superficial inguinal nodes lie in the fatty tissue of the upper front thigh, under the skin and above the deep fascia. They are commonly divided into an upper row parallel to the inguinal ligament and a lower, vertical group. The inferior superficial inguinal nodes are that lower group: they cluster around the terminal part of the great saphenous vein, close to the saphenous opening in the fascia lata, where the vein dives to join the femoral vein.

These are the nodes that receive the superficial lymph of the lower limb. Lymph vessels from the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the foot, leg and thigh climb alongside the great saphenous vein and end here. The exception is the lateral side of the foot and the heel, whose lymph follows the small saphenous vein to the popliteal nodes instead.

Their outflow pierces the cribriform fascia over the saphenous opening to reach the deep inguinal nodes beside the femoral vein, and some vessels pass directly to the external iliac nodes.

In a slim person these nodes can be felt in the groin as small, soft, mobile lumps, and slight enlargement is common. They swell with infections of the foot and leg, including cellulitis and infected wounds of the toes, and they are a first site of spread for melanoma and other skin cancers of the lower limb. When the limb is examined for a cause of an enlarged node, the toes and sole should be looked at.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent superficial lymph vessels of the foot, leg and thigh, running with the great saphenous vein; the lateral foot and heel are excluded.

Drains into

Efferent vessels pass through the cribriform fascia to the deep inguinal nodes, and some to the external iliac nodes.

Drains

Filters superficial lymph from most of the lower limb. Enlarges with infection of the foot and leg and is a first site of spread for melanoma and skin cancers of the limb.