Paraaortic lymph node 1464332 214601755 2008-05-24T10:05:03Z Siebrand 933365 Lymph node regions.jpg {{Infobox Lymph | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 180 | GrayPage = 705 | Image = Lymph node regions.jpg | Caption = Lymph nodes (Paraaortic labeled in center in blue.) | Image2 = Illu lymph chain07.jpg | Caption2 = '''Left Lumbar Lymph Nodes (Paraaortic Lymph Nodes)'''<BR>1. Lateral aortic<BR>2. Preaortic<BR>3. Postaortic<BR>4. Intermediate Lumbar<BR><BR>'''Right Lumbar Lymph Nodes (Paracaval Lymph Nodes)'''<BR>5. Lateral caval<BR>6. Precaval<BR>7. Postcaval | DrainsFrom = | DrainsTo = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = | DorlandsSuf = | }} The '''paraaortic lymph nodes''' (also known as '''para-aortic''', '''periaortic''', and '''peri-aortic''') are a group of [[lymph node]]s that lie in front of the lumbar vertebral bodies near the [[aorta]]. These lymph nodes receive drainage from the lower [[gastrointestinal tract]] and the [[pelvis|pelvic]] organs. ==Divisions== The paraaortic lymph node group is divided into three subgroups: preaortic, retroaortic, and right and left lateral aortic. * The [[Preaortic lymph node|preaortic group]] drains the abdominal part of the [[gastrointestinal tract]] above the mid-rectum. * The [[Retroaortic lymph nodes|retroaortic group]] drains from the lateral and preaortic glands. * The [[Lateral aortic lymph nodes|lateral group]] drains the [[iliac lymph node]]s, the [[ovary|ovaries]], and other pelvic organs. The lateral group nodes are located adjacent to the [[aorta]], anterior to the spine, extending laterally to the edge of the [[psoas major muscle]]s, and superiorly to the [[crura of the diaphragm]]. ==Dissection == When a paraaortic lymph node dissection or sampling is done as a part of the treatment of [[cancer]], the lateral aortic lymph node group is the most important group. There are typically 15 to 20 lymph nodes on each side. When dissected, the dissection usually includes the region from the bifurcation of the aorta to the [[superior mesenteric artery]] or the [[renal vein]]s. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray611.png|The parietal lymph glands of the pelvis. </gallery> ==See also== * [[Lumbar lymph nodes]] ==External links== * http://www.instantanatomy.net/thorax/vessels/lnodes.html {{Lymphatics of torso}} [[Category:Lymphatic system]] {{anatomy-stub}}