The coeliac (celiac) lymph nodes surround the root of the coeliac trunk just below the diaphragm, in front of the aorta. They are one of three pre-aortic groups and form the final common station for lymph from the foregut organs, including the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas and first part of the duodenum.
| Location | Pre-aortic, around the origin of the coeliac trunk at about T12, below the aortic hiatus and above the pancreas |
|---|---|
| Receives lymph from |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Provide the final nodal filter for lymph from the foregut organs.
Coeliac node involvement is important in staging stomach, oesophageal and pancreatic cancers and is assessed by CT and endoscopic ultrasound. Nodes along the arteries feeding the coeliac nodes (gastric, hepatic, pancreaticosplenic) are removed in gastric cancer surgery. Bulky coeliac nodes can contribute to back pain from involvement of the coeliac plexus.
Spread of gastric, oesophageal, pancreatic or biliary cancer to the coeliac nodes, often indicating advanced disease.
Malignant nodal or tumour involvement of the nerve plexus around the coeliac trunk, causing severe upper abdominal and back pain.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
