Lymph Vessels of the Male Urethra

The lymph vessels of the male urethra (Figure 32) drain to the superficial inguinal, hypogastric, medial iliac, and lateral sacral lymph nodes. From the initial part of the pelvic urethra (Figure 32: 1), the lymph vessels join those of the prostate and drain with them to the medial iliac lymph nodes (Figure 32: 1) and the hypogastric lymph nodes (Figure 32: 3). If a lateral sacral lymph node (Figure 32: 5) is present, then usually one of these lymph vessels will also drain to this lymph node. From the terminal part of the pelvic urethra, the lymph vessels join with those of the crus penis, the M. ischiocavernosus and M. bulbocavernosus (Figure 32: q, r) (see lymph vessels of the penis and the glans) and run with them either on the penis to drain to the superficial inguinal lymph nodes (Figure 32: 4), or subperitoneally in the pelvic cavity to drain to the hypogastric lymph nodes (Figure 32: 3). If a lateral sacral lymph node (Figure 32: 5) is present, one of these lymph vessels will usually (but not always) enter it.

The lymph vessels from the penile part of the urethra (Figure 32: 7) join with those of the penis and drain with them to the superficial inguinal lymph nodes (Figure 32: 4).

For the lymph vessels of the female urethra, see the section on lymph vessels of the urinary system (lymph vessels of the female urethra).