Lymphatic Drainage of the Penis
The inguinal nodes are divided into two groups, superficial and deep. The superficial nodes are located beneath the subcutaneous fascia and above the fascia lata covering the muscles of the upper leg; 8 to 25 superficial nodes are present. The deep inguinal nodes are those around the fossa ovalis, the opening in the fascia lata where the saphenous vein drains into the femoral vein; 3 to 5 deep nodes are present. These nodes form the link to the second-line regional nodes, ie, the pelvic nodes. The deep nodes receive their afferents from the superficial ones and directly from the deeper structures of the penis. The most constant and usually largest node is found medial to the femoral vein and just underneath the inguinal ligament, the so-called node of Cloquet or Rosenmüller.[48] The skin of the penis and prepuce is drained primarily to the superficial inguinal nodes, especially the superomedial zone, where the sentinel node is located. The lymphatics of the glans may drain to the superficial inguinal nodes or feed directly to the deep inguinal nodes or even the external iliac group. The lymphatics of the corporal bodies may drain to the superficial or deep inguinal nodes or directly to the external iliac nodes. The simultaneous removal of first-and second-line nodes is traditionally called ilioinguinal lymph node dissection (IILND).
Cancer Control. 2002;9(4) © 2002 H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc.
© Copyright by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. All rights reserved.
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Cite this: Cancer of the Penis - Medscape - Jul 01, 2002.
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