LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

OF THE LOWER LIMB

 Lymphatic Drainage of the Lower Limb

 The lymphatic system functions to drain tissue fluid, plasma proteins and
other cellular debris back into the blood stream, and is also involved in
immune defence. Once this collection of substances enters the lymphatic
vessels it is known as lymph; lymph is subsequently filtered by lymph
nodes and directed into the venous system.
 Lymphatic Vessels
The lymphatic vessels of the lower limb can be divided into two major groups; superficial
vessels and deep vessels. Their distribution is similar to the veins of the lower limb.
 Superficial Lymphatic Vessels
 The superficial vessels can be divided into two major subsets; (i) medial vessels, which closely follow the
course of the great saphenous vein and; (ii) lateral vessels which are more closely associated with
the small saphenous vein.
 Medial Vessels
 The medial group originate on the dorsal surface of the foot. They travel up the anterior and posterior
aspects of the medial lower leg, with the great saphenous vein, passing with it behind the medial
condyle of the femur. This group of vessels ends in the groin, draining into the sub inguinal group of the
inguinal lymph nodes.
 Lateral Vessels
 The lateral vessels arise from the lateral surface of the foot and either accompany the small saphenous
vein to enter the popliteal nodes, or ascend in front of the leg and cross just below the knee joint to join
the medial group.
 Deep Lymphatic Vessels
 These are far fewer in number than their superficial counterparts and accompany the deep arteries of the
lower leg. They are found in 3 main groups: anterior tibial, posterior tibial and peroneal following the
corresponding artery respectively, and entering the popliteal lymph nodes.
 Lymphatic Nodes
 Inguinal Nodes
 The inguinal nodes are found in the upper aspect of the femoral triangle and are
1—20 in number.
 They are subdivided into 2 groupings determined by their position relative to a
horizontal line drawn at the level of termination of the great saphenous vein.
Those below this line are the sub-inguinal nodes (consisting of a deep and
superficial set) and those above are the superficial inguinal nodes.
 Superficial Inguinal Nodes
 These form a line directly below the inguinal ligament and receive lymph from
the penis, scrotum, perineum, buttock and abdominal wall.
 Superficial Sub-Inguinal Nodes
 These are located on each side of the proximal section of the great saphenous
vein. They receive afferent input primarily from the superficial lymphatic
vessels of the lower leg.
 Deep Sub-Inguinal Nodes
 These are often found in one to three in number and are most commonly found
on the medial aspect of the femoral vein. The afferent supply to these nodes is
from the deep lymphatic trunks of the thigh which accompany the femoral
vessels.
 Popliteal Nodes
• The popliteal lymphatic nodes are small in size, usually between five and
seven in number, and are often found imbedded in fat reserves in
the popliteal fossa. They receive lymph from the lateral superficial
vessels.
• The efferent vessels of the popliteal nodes pass almost entirely
alongside the femoral vessels to empty into the deep inguinal
nodes. However, some will accompany the great saphenous vein and
drain into the sub-inguinal nodes.
THANK YOU!
Mr. Herone S. Pastera
Human Anatomy & Physiology
MBC-Teacher