The inferior mesenteric lymph nodes consist of:
* (a) small glands on the branches of the
left colic
The left colic artery is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery distributed to the descending colon, and left part of the transverse colon. It ends by dividing into an ascending branch and a descending branch; the terminal branches of the two ...
and
sigmoid arteries
* (b) a group in the
sigmoid mesocolon
In human anatomy, the mesentery is an organ that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall, consisting of a double fold of the peritoneum. It helps (among other functions) in storing fat and allowing blood vessels, lymphatics, ...
, around the
superior hemorrhoidal artery
* (c) a
pararectal group in contact with the muscular coat of the
rectum
The rectum (: rectums or recta) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in humans and some other mammals, and the gut in others. Before expulsion through the anus or cloaca, the rectum stores the feces temporarily. The adult ...
Structure
The inferior mesenteric lymph nodes are
lymph node
A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphocytes that includ ...
s present throughout the
hindgut
The hindgut (or epigaster) is the posterior ( caudal) part of the alimentary canal. In mammals, it includes the distal one third of the transverse colon and the splenic flexure, the descending colon, sigmoid colon and up to the ano-rectal junct ...
.
Afferents
The inferior mesenteric lymph nodes drain structures related to the
hindgut
The hindgut (or epigaster) is the posterior ( caudal) part of the alimentary canal. In mammals, it includes the distal one third of the transverse colon and the splenic flexure, the descending colon, sigmoid colon and up to the ano-rectal junct ...
;
they receive lymph from the
descending colon
In the anatomy of humans and homologous primates, the descending colon is the part of the colon extending from the left colic flexure to the level of the iliac crest (whereupon it transitions into the sigmoid colon). The function of the descen ...
,
sigmoid colon
The sigmoid colon (or pelvic colon) is the part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum and anus. It forms a loop that averages about in length. The loop is typically shaped like a Greek letter sigma (ς) or Latin letter S (thus ''s ...
, and proximal part of the
rectum
The rectum (: rectums or recta) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in humans and some other mammals, and the gut in others. Before expulsion through the anus or cloaca, the rectum stores the feces temporarily. The adult ...
.
Efferents
They drain into the
superior mesenteric lymph nodes
The superior mesenteric lymph nodes may be divided into three principal groups:
* mesenteric lymph nodes
* ileocolic lymph nodes
* mesocolic lymph nodes
Structure
Mesenteric lymph nodes
The mesenteric lymph nodes or mesenteric glands are one of ...
and ultimately to the
preaortic lymph nodes
The preaortic lymph nodes lie in front of the aorta, and may be divided into celiac lymph nodes, superior mesenteric lymph nodes, and inferior mesenteric lymph nodes groups, arranged around the origins of the corresponding arteries.
The celiac l ...
.
Lymph nodes surrounding the
inferior mesenteric artery
In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is the third main branch of the abdominal aorta and arises at the level of L3, supplying the large intestine from the distal transverse colon to the upper part of the anal canal. The region ...
drain directly into the preaortic nodes.
Clinical significance
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the Colon (anatomy), colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include Lower gastrointestinal ...
may
metastasise
Metastasis is a pathogenic agent's spreading from an initial or primary site to a different or secondary site within the host's body; the term is typically used when referring to metastasis by a cancerous tumor. The newly pathological sites, ...
to the inferior mesenteric lymph nodes. For this reason, the
inferior mesenteric artery
In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is the third main branch of the abdominal aorta and arises at the level of L3, supplying the large intestine from the distal transverse colon to the upper part of the anal canal. The region ...
may be removed in people with lymph node-positive cancer. This has been proposed since at least 1908, by surgeon
William Ernest Miles.
Additional images
File:Lymph node regions.svg , Regional lymph tissue
File:Illu lymph chain09.jpg, Lymph nodes of the large intestine and lower abdomen
References
{{Portal bar, Anatomy
Lymphatics of the torso