Superficial inguinal lymph nodes

Last revised by B Mcloughlin on 30 May 2023

The superficial inguinal lymph nodes (often shortened to superficial inguinal nodes) form a subgroup of the inguinal lymph nodes and are located in the superficial fascia of the upper thigh immediately inferior to the inguinal ligament, near the great saphenous vein.

They number around ten, although a range of 5-17 nodes was reported in a cadaveric study, and drain lymph from the gluteal region, inferior anterior abdominal wall, perineum and superficial lower limbs 3. They drain into the external iliac lymph nodes via lymphatic channels accompanying the femoral vessels.

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