What is the cisterna chyli and where is it located?

The cisterna chyli is a dilated lymphatic sac that collects lymph from the posterior abdominal wall and most abdominopelvic organs. It is located anterior to the L1 and L2 vertebrae, between the aorta and azygos vein, and continues superiorly as the thoracic duct.

What are the main tributaries that drain into the cisterna chyli?

The cisterna chyli receives lymph via three main tributaries: right and left intestinal lymph trunks from the gut-derived organs, right and left lumbar lymph trunks from the kidneys, gonads, posterior wall, and lower limbs, and lower intercostal lymphatics that enter superiorly.

What are the aortic lymph nodes and how are they grouped?

Aortic lymph nodes are located along the abdominal aorta and are divided into two main groups: pre-aortic nodes near the coeliac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries, draining gut-derived organs, and para-aortic nodes on either side of the aorta, draining organs like the suprarenal glands, kidneys, gonads, and pelvic structures.

How do the external iliac nodes contribute to lymphatic drainage in the posterior abdomen?

The external iliac nodes, with 8–10 nodes along the external iliac vessels, drain the pelvic viscera, lower limb, and anterior abdominal wall. Their efferent vessels then pass lymph to the common iliac nodes.

What is the role of the common iliac nodes in the lymphatic system?

Common iliac nodes, with 4–6 nodes along the common iliac arteries, receive lymph from the external and internal iliac nodes and direct drainage from pelvic viscera. They then send efferents to the para-aortic nodes.

Which organs drain into the para-aortic lymph nodes?

The para-aortic nodes drain lymph from several key organs, including the suprarenal glands, kidneys and ureters, gonads (testes or ovaries), and pelvic organs and lower limbs via the iliac nodes.

What is the overall pathway of lymphatic drainage from the posterior abdominal wall?

Lymph from the posterior abdominal wall and most abdominopelvic organs drains through lymph nodes like the aortic groups, then into the cisterna chyli, and finally ascends via the thoracic duct into the systemic circulation.

Posterior Abdominal Lymphatics – Aortic Nodes & Cisterna Chyli

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