Organ
External iliac lymph nodes
Pelvic continuation of inguinal and anterior visceral drainage
High-yield
External iliac nodes connect inguinal drainage with the common iliac chain and also receive direct pelvic visceral lymphatics.
Overview
External iliac nodes follow the external iliac vessels along the pelvic sidewall. They receive lymph from inguinal chains and several pelvic organs, including parts of the bladder and female reproductive tract. Obturator nodes occupy an adjacent basin often mapped separately in cancer staging.
Reference facts
- Location
- Beside the external iliac vessels between the inguinal ligament and common iliac bifurcation.
- Parts
- Groups are named by their relationship to the artery and vein; obturator nodes lie nearby in the obturator fossa and may be categorized separately.
- Drains from
- Receive inguinal and inferior epigastric drainage, plus variable direct drainage from bladder, prostate, uterus and upper vagina.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Efferents usually continue to common iliac nodes, with connections to neighboring pelvic chains.
- Function
- Provide immune surveillance for inguinal drainage territories and parts of the pelvic viscera.
Clinical correlation
External iliac and obturator basins are relevant to several pelvic cancers. Which nodes are evaluated depends on the primary tumor and its drainage; there is no single obligatory first pelvic node for every organ.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the external iliac lymph nodes located?
The external iliac lymph nodes lie beside the external iliac vessels between the inguinal ligament and common iliac bifurcation.
What do the external iliac lymph nodes do?
Provide immune surveillance for inguinal drainage territories and parts of the pelvic viscera.
What are the parts of the external iliac lymph nodes?
Groups are named by their relationship to the artery and vein; obturator nodes lie nearby in the obturator fossa and may be categorized separately.
How do the external iliac lymph nodes drain?
Efferents usually continue to common iliac nodes, with connections to neighboring pelvic chains.