The 'deep inguinal lymph nodes' are located medial to the
femoral vein and under the
cribriform fascia. There are approximately 3 to 5 deep nodes. The superior-most node is located under the inguinal ligament and is called '
Cloquet's node'.
Drainage
The deep inguinal lymph nodes drain superiorly to the
external iliac lymph nodes, then to the
pelvic lymph nodes and on to the
paraaortic lymph nodes.
Clinical significance
The presence of swollen inguinal lymph nodes are an important clinical sign because swelling may indicate an infection (such as orchitis in males) in the lower extremities or spread from
cancers, such as
anal cancer and
vulvar cancer.
Additional images