Lateral common iliac nodes
Nodi iliaci communes latérales
The chain of common iliac lymph nodes running along the outer side of the common iliac artery, from the aortic bifurcation to the pelvic brim.
At a glance
- English
- Lateral common iliac nodes
- Latin (TA2)
- Nodi iliaci communes latérales
- System
- Lymphatic
- Region
- Trunk
- Side
- Single, on the midline
About the lateral common iliac nodes
The common iliac nodes are grouped around the common iliac vessels into lateral, intermediate and medial chains. The lateral chain follows the outer edge of the common iliac artery, between the artery and psoas major, from about the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra down to the division of the artery at the sacro-iliac joint.
Along this course the nodes lie behind the peritoneum and are crossed in front by the ureter as it enters the pelvis at the bifurcation of the artery. The genitofemoral nerve runs down on psoas just lateral to them. Below, the chain is continuous with the lateral external iliac nodes; above, it leads to the left or right lumbar nodes beside the aorta and vena cava.
Most of the lymph entering the lateral chain arrives from the external iliac nodes, especially their lateral chain, and so comes at second hand from the lower limb, the lower abdominal wall and, through the medial groups, the bladder. The efferent vessels rise to the lateral aortic nodes on the left side and to the lateral caval nodes on the right.
These nodes are a step above the first pelvic stations, so their involvement shows that a cancer of the bladder or of the lower limb has spread further along the lymph pathway. In extended pelvic lymph node dissection the surgeon follows the chain up to the aortic bifurcation, working round the ureter where it crosses.
Course and drainage
- Begins at
- Efferent vessels of the external iliac nodes, chiefly their lateral chain, carrying lymph from the lower limb, lower abdominal wall and pelvis.
- Drains into
- Efferent vessels pass to the lateral aortic nodes on the left and the lateral caval nodes on the right.
- Drains
- A second relay on the lymph route from the lower limb and pelvis to the lumbar nodes. Involvement marks spread of a pelvic or lower limb cancer above the first nodes and guides how far dissection must reach.
Anthromica
See the lateral common iliac nodes where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
