Retrocaval nodes

At a glance

English

Retrocaval nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi retrocavales

System

Lymphatic

Region

Trunk

Side

Single, on the midline

About the retrocaval nodes

The retrocaval nodes form the deepest part of the right lumbar group, the chain of nodes around the inferior vena cava. They are hidden behind the vein, between it and the front of the lumbar spine and the right psoas major. Precaval nodes lie on the front of the vein and lateral caval nodes along its right border.

Here the nodes share space with the right lumbar arteries, which pass behind the vena cava from the aorta, and with the right sympathetic trunk along the vertebral bodies. Higher up they lie on the right crus of the diaphragm, and the right renal artery runs behind the vein close to them on its way to the kidney.

Lymph comes to them from the other right lumbar nodes and the right common iliac nodes, and directly from the right kidney, the right suprarenal gland and the deep muscles of the posterior abdominal wall. Their efferents join the right lumbar trunk, which ends in the cisterna chyli.

Because they are concealed by the vena cava, these nodes are best judged on CT or MRI. Like the other right lumbar nodes they may hold spread from a cancer of the right kidney or from pelvic cancers that have climbed the iliac chains, and they are enlarged in some cases of lymphoma. A complete retroperitoneal dissection needs the vena cava to be lifted to reach them, with care for the lumbar veins that enter its back.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Lymph vessels from the precaval and lateral caval nodes and the right common iliac nodes, and direct vessels from the right kidney, right suprarenal gland and posterior abdominal wall.

Drains into

Efferent vessels join the right lumbar trunk to the cisterna chyli.

Drains

Collects lymph from the right side of the posterior abdomen. Relevant in staging right renal and pelvic cancers and in lymphoma; reached at surgery only by lifting the vena cava.