Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes found in the upper thigh near the groin. The presence of swollen inguinal lymph nodes are an important clinical sign because swelling may indicate an infection in the lower extremities or spread from cancers, such as anal cancer and vulvar cancer.

The inguinal lymph nodes are found in two groups: superficial and deep.

Anatomy

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The superficial inguinal lymph nodes lie along the saphenous vein (v. saphena magna), deep to Camper's fascia and superficial to the cribriform fascia which overlies the femoral vessels. They are found in the triangle bounded by the inguinal ligament superiorly, the border of the sartorius muscle laterally, and the adductor longus muscle medially. There are approximately 10 superficial lymph nodes.

The deep inguinal lymph nodes are located medial to the femoral vein and under the cribriform fascia. There are approximately 3 to 5 deep nodes. The superior-most node is located under the inguinal ligament and is called Cloquet's node.

Drainage

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The superficial inguinal lymph nodes receive drainage from the vulva and anus, as well as the lower extremity (foot, leg and thigh). The superficial nodes drain to the deep inguinal lymph nodes, which then drain superiorly to the external iliac lymph nodes, then to the pelvic lymph nodes and on to the paraaortic lymph nodes.

References

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• Burke, Thomas W.; Eifel, Patricia J; McGuire, William P.; & Wilkinson, Edward J (2000). Vulva. In William J. Hoskins, Carlos A. Perez, & Robert C. Young (Eds), Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-1978-X.

Lymphatic system