Lymph Vessels of the Lumbodorsal Fascia

The lymph vessels of the lumbodorsal fascia mostly drain to the cranial lumbar aortic lymph node, and to a smaller extent the medial iliac lymph nodes. These lymph vessels form extensive networks on the fascia. The lymph vessels that arise from the network first travel on the surface of the fascia and then penetrate it to reach the inner surface. The lymph vessels from the cranial three-quarters of the lumbodorsal fascia converge, curving around the lateral border of the M. longissimus dorsi. The most cranial of these lymph vessels even run through the last or second to last intercostal space. They then travel along the ventral side of the lumbar muscles, usually accompanied by the A. and V. lumboabdominalis, and their branches, to the cranial lumbar aortic lymph node.

The lymph vessels of the caudal quarter of the lumbodorsal fascia merge to form 1 to 2 vessels which travel to the ventral side of the lumbar muscles, just cranial to the lateral iliac angle and around the lateral border of the M. longissimus dorsi, and from there travel to the medial iliac lymph node.

No lymph vessels were observed draining to the hypogastric lymph nodes.