Corpus: Superior mesenteric lymph nodes

The Nodi lymphatici mesenterici superiores are preaortic lymph nodes distributed around the superior mesenteric artery and its branches.

The nodi lymphatici mesenterici superiores can be further subdivided into:

• Nodi lymphatici ileocolici: lymph nodes along the ileocolic artery
• Nodi lymphatici colici (also: Nodi lymphatici mesocolici): Lymph nodes along the arteria colica dextra, arteria colica media and arteria colica sinistra

The nodi lymphatici mesenterici superiores collect the lymphatic fluid from the duodenum (pars horizontalis and ascendens), jejunum, ileum, caecum, vermiform appendix, ascending colon and the oral half of the transverse colon. Furthermore, the nodi lymphatici mesenterici superiores channel the lymphatic fluid via the truncus intestinalis to the cisterna chyli.

However, the collected lymphatic fluid from the above-mentioned organs first passes through several subordinate lymph nodes until it finally flows into the superior mesenteric lymph nodes.