Lymphatic Drainage of Lower Limb

Name the lymph nodes of lower limb.

Lymphatic drainage of lower limb: Most of the lymph from lower limb is drained into inguinal lymph nodes (except from deep part of gluteal region and back of thigh, which  drain into internal iliac lymph nodes).

• Lymph nodes are classified as
  • Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
  • Deep inguinal
  • Popliteal lymph nodes

Name the areas drained by the superficial inguinal lymph nodes.

Superficial inguinal lymph nodes are located in the superficial fascia of upper part of front of thigh. They are arranged in a ‘T’ shaped manner and are divided into two groups.

• Upper group (Horizontally arranged) – they are 5-6 in number and are located a little below the inguinal ligament. This group is further subdivided into two subgroups:
  • Upper lateral group
  • Upper medial group
• Lower group (vertically arranged) – they are 4-5 in number and are located along the upper part of great saphenous vein.

Note: Lymphatics from testes do not drain into inguinal lymph nodes. They follow testicular vessels to drain into paraaortic lymph nodes.

 Name the structures drained by deep inguinal lymph nodes.

• Are located medial to femoral  vein.
• Are approximately 3 to 5 in number.
• Receive lymphatics from
  • superficial inguinal lymph nodes
  • popliteal lymph nodes
  • deep lymphatics from lower limb.
  • Superior-most node located in femoral canal (Cloquet’s node) drains glans penis.
• Drain into external iliac nodes.

 Name the areas drained by popliteal lymph nodes.

• They lie in popliteal fossa
• Receive lymph from:
  • Knee joint
  • Deep lymph vessels from leg
  • Superficial lymph vessels from lateral aspect of leg & foot
• Drain into deep inguinal lymph nodes.

 Applied Aspects