Duodenal Lymph Nodes

The duodenal lymph node (Figures 25: 2; 26: a) is a smaller lymph node that is either found on the flexura prima duodeni, between the intestinal wall and the right lobe of the pancreas, or just ventral to the pancreas on the medial side of the duodenum, but not between the lobes of the pancreas. Of 24 cases examined, the lymph node was absent in 2.

Afferent drainage

The duodenal lymph node drains lymph vessels from the stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and omentum, as well as the efferent vessels of the omental lymph node.

Efferent drainage (Figures 25 and 26)

Four to 6 efferent vessels leave the duodenal lymph node and soon merge to form 1 to 2 larger vessels, which travel over the ventral aspect of the pancreas into the right hepatic lymph node. One of the vessels often merges with the efferent lymph vessel of the omental lymph node, allowing for retrograde flow.