Lymphatics of the small intestine

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From distal to proximal the small intestine can be divided into three parts: the ileum, jejunum and duodenum.

The distal part of the ileum is drained by the ileocolic lymph nodes. Lymph drained from the proximal ileum and the jejunum is carried to the juxtaintestinal lymph nodes which are located within the mesentery in close proximity to the small intestine. From here, lymph continues to the superior mesenteric lymph nodes via the intermediate mesenteric lymph nodes, ultimately reaching the cisterna chyli via the intestinal lymph trunk.

The lymph nodes of the duodenum include the superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes, superior mesenteric lymph nodes, celiac lymph nodes and again drain into the cisterna chyli. 

Learn about the lymph nodes of the small intestine in our video! More details on the lymphatics of the duodenum are covered in a separate study unit linked at the end of this page.

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Summary