Superomedial superficial inguinal nodes

At a glance

English

Superomedial superficial inguinal nodes

Latin (TA2)

Nodi inguinales superficiales superomediales

System

Lymphatic

Region

Whole body

Side

Paired, left and right

About the superomedial superficial inguinal nodes

The superomedial superficial inguinal nodes are the medial set of the upper row of superficial inguinal nodes. They lie in the subcutaneous fat of the groin below the inner half of the inguinal ligament, near the pubic tubercle and the end of the great saphenous vein, superficial to the fascia lata. The superficial epigastric and superficial external pudendal veins, which join the great saphenous vein here, run close by.

Their territory is the lower midline region of the trunk and the perineum. They receive superficial lymph from the lower anterior abdominal wall near the midline below the umbilicus, along the superficial epigastric vessels, and from the skin of the perineum. They also receive lymph from the anal canal below the pectinate line and from the skin around the anus, which is why disease of the lower anal canal shows in the groin rather than in the pelvis.

Their efferent vessels pass through the cribriform fascia to the deep inguinal nodes and directly to the external iliac nodes.

These nodes enlarge with infections of the perineal and perianal skin and of the lower abdominal wall. Cancers of the lower anal canal and of the perianal skin spread to them first, so the groin is always examined when such a cancer is found, and enlarged nodes are sampled to guide treatment.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Afferent superficial lymph vessels from the lower medial anterior abdominal wall, the perineal skin, the perianal skin and the anal canal below the pectinate line.

Drains into

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

Drains

Filters superficial lymph from the lower midline trunk wall, perineum and lower anal canal. A first site of spread for cancers of the lower anal canal and perianal skin.