Internal iliac nodes run beside the internal iliac vessels, draining pelvic organs and gluteal regions.
The internal iliac lymph nodes are a group of deep pelvic lymph nodes that lie along the branches of the internal iliac artery. They play a central role in the drainage of pelvic viscera, including reproductive organs, the bladder, rectum, and deeper portions of the perineum. These nodes are critical for immune defense and are frequently involved in the staging and spread of pelvic malignancies.
Internal iliac nodes are small, rounded, encapsulated lymphatic organs composed of lymphoid follicles, sinuses, and medullary cords. They are typically subdivided based on their position along the arterial branches of the internal iliac artery.
Internal iliac lymph nodes are found medial and posterior to the external iliac nodes, embedded in the pelvic connective tissue around the internal iliac artery and its branches. They are positioned along the pelvic sidewalls, near organs such as the bladder, rectum, and reproductive structures.
Region | Landmarks |
---|---|
Anterior pelvis | Surrounding anterior branches of internal iliac artery |
Posterior pelvis | Near piriformis muscle, close to posterior branches |
Medial to pelvic wall | Near bladder, cervix/prostate, and upper rectum |