Superolateral superficial inguinal nodes

At a glance

English

Superolateral superficial inguinal nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi inguinales superficiales superolaterales

System

Lymphatic

Region

Whole body

Side

Paired, left and right

About the superolateral superficial inguinal nodes

The superficial inguinal nodes lie in the subcutaneous fat of the upper front thigh, above the fascia lata. The upper nodes of this group form a row just below and parallel to the inguinal ligament, which is divided into a lateral and a medial set. The superolateral nodes are the lateral set, lying below the outer half of the ligament, near the superficial circumflex iliac vein as it runs towards the great saphenous vein.

Their territory lies above and behind the groin rather than in the lower limb. They receive the superficial lymph of the lower anterolateral abdominal wall below the level of the umbilicus, the flank, and the upper outer buttock and gluteal region, following the course of the superficial circumflex iliac vessels.

Their efferent vessels pass to the deep inguinal nodes beside the femoral vein and directly to the external iliac nodes in the pelvis.

These nodes are often felt as small soft lumps in the outer groin. They can enlarge with infections and skin conditions of the lower trunk wall, the flank and the buttock, and they are a site of spread for melanoma and other skin cancers of those areas. When the groin is examined for the source of an enlarged node, the skin of the lower trunk and buttock should be checked as well as the leg.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent superficial lymph vessels from the lower anterolateral abdominal wall below the umbilicus, the flank, and the upper lateral gluteal region.

Drains into

Efferent vessels pass to the deep inguinal nodes and to the external iliac nodes.

Drains

Filters superficial lymph from the lower lateral trunk wall, flank and buttock. Enlarges with infection or skin cancer of these areas.