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 the three principal groups of superior mesenteric lymph nodes and lie between the layers of the

mesentery The mesentery is an organ that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall in humans and is formed by the double fold of peritoneum. It helps in storing fat and allowing blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to supply the intestines ...

. They number from one hundred to one hundred and fifty, and are sited as two main groups: * one ileocolic group lying close to the wall of the

small intestine The small intestine or small bowel is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intestine, and receives bile and pancreatic juice through the p ...

, among the terminal twigs of the superior mesenteric artery; * a second larger mesocolic group placed in relation to the loops and primary branches of the vessels.

Ileocolic lymph nodes

The ileocolic lymph nodes, from ten to twenty in number, form a chain around the ileocolic artery, but tend to subdivide into two groups, one near the

duodenum The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear, and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine m ...

and the other on the lower part of the trunk of the artery. Where the vessel divides into its terminal branches the chain is broken up into several groups: * (a) ileal, in relation to the

ileal branch The ileal branch of ileocolic artery is a branch of the ileocolic artery The ileocolic artery is the lowest branch arising from the concavity of the superior mesenteric artery. It passes downward and to the right behind the peritoneum toward the ...

of the artery; * (b) anterior ileocolic, usually of three glands, in the ileocolic fold, near the wall of the cecum; * (c) posterior ileocolic, mostly placed in the angle between the ileum and the colon, but partly lying behind the cecum at its junction with the ascending colon; * (d) a single gland, between the layers of the mesenteriole of the

appendix Appendix, or its plural form appendices, may refer to: __NOTOC__ In documents * Addendum, an addition made to a document by its author after its initial printing or publication * Bibliography, a systematic list of books and other works * Index (pub ...

; * (e) right colic, along the medial side of the

ascending colon ''Ascending'' is a science fiction novel by the Canadian writer James Alan Gardner, published in 2001 by HarperCollins Publishers under its various imprints.HarperCollins, Avon, HarperCollins Canada, SFBC/Avon; paperback edition 2001, Eos Books. ...

Mesocolic lymph nodes

The mesocolic lymph nodes are numerous, and lie between the layers of the transverse mesocolon, in close relation to the transverse colon; they are best developed in the neighborhood of the right and left colic flexures. One or two small glands are occasionally seen along the trunk of the right colic artery and others are found in relation to the trunk and branches of the

middle colic artery The middle colic artery is an artery of the abdomen; a branch of the superior mesenteric artery distributed to parts of the ascending and transverse colon. It usually divides into two terminal branches - a left one and a right one - which go on ...

Function

The superior mesenteric glands receive lymph from the

jejunum The jejunum is the second part of the small intestine in humans and most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. Its lining is specialised for the absorption by enterocytes of small nutrient molecules which have been previou ...

, ileum, cecum,

vermiform process The appendix (or vermiform appendix; also cecal r caecalappendix; vermix; or vermiform process) is a finger-like, blind-ended tube connected to the cecum, from which it develops in the embryo. The cecum is a pouch-like structure of the large i ...

, and the ascending and transverse parts of the colon; lymph drains into the

preaortic gland 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 lym ...

Additional images

File:Gray615.png, The lymphatics of cecum and vermiform process from the front. File:Gray616.png, The lymphatics of cecum and vermiform process from behind.

References

Lymphatics of the torso {{lymphatic-stub