The superior mesenteric lymph nodes are grouped into three sets: the mesenteric, ileocolic and mesocolic lymph nodes.

The preaortic lymph nodes receive a few vessels from the lateral aortic lymph nodes, but their principal afferents are derived from the organs supplied by the three arteries with which they are associated–the celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric arteries.

Some of their efferents pass to the retroaortic lymph nodes, but the majority unite to form the intestinal lymph trunk, which enters the cisterna chyli.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 705 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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