Superior Mesenteric Lymph Nodes

nodi lymphoidei mesenterici superiores

The superior mesenteric lymph nodes are pre-aortic nodes at the root of the superior mesenteric artery. They are the final collecting station for lymph from the midgut, which passes first through the hundreds of small mesenteric nodes in the mesentery of the small bowel and the colic nodes along the right and middle colic vessels.

Anatomical Data

Structure & Secretions

Location	Pre-aortic, around the origin of the superior mesenteric artery at about L1, receiving from mesenteric and ileocolic, right colic and middle colic nodes
Receives lymph from	Jejunum and ileum (via mesenteric nodes) Distal duodenum and head of pancreas Appendix, caecum, ascending colon and proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon
Lymphatic drainage	Intestinal lymphatic trunk Cisterna chyli

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Filter lymph and chyle from the midgut before it enters the intestinal trunk.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Mesenteric adenitis, inflammation of these nodes often after a viral illness, is a common mimic of appendicitis in children. Small bowel and right colon cancers spread along this chain, so right hemicolectomy removes the mesentery up to the origin of the vessels. Lymph from the small bowel is milky (chyle) after a fatty meal.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Mesenteric Adenitis

Inflamed, enlarged mesenteric nodes causing right lower abdominal pain in children and young adults, often confused with appendicitis.

Colorectal Cancer Nodal Spread

Metastasis of right and transverse colon cancers along the colic nodes to the superior mesenteric group.

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