Anatomy · Lymphatic Drainage and Clinical Lymphadenopathy

Lymphatic drainage of the testis follows its embryological descent and drains to which primary group of nodes?

  • A Inguinal nodes (superficial)
  • B Internal iliac nodes
  • C External iliac nodes
  • D Para-aortic (lumbar) nodes at the level of L1–L2
Correct answer: D. Para-aortic (lumbar) nodes at the level of L1–L2

Explanation

The testis develops in the retroperitoneum near the kidneys and descends to the scrotum; it retains its embryological lymphatic drainage to the para-aortic (lumbar/retroperitoneal) nodes at the L1–L2 level, which is also where its arterial supply (testicular artery from aorta) originates. In contrast, the scrotal skin drains to the superficial inguinal nodes. This distinction is clinically important: testicular tumors metastasize to para-aortic nodes, not inguinal nodes (unless the scrotum is invaded or there has been prior inguinal surgery).

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 23,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Lymphatic Drainage and Clinical Lymphadenopathy MCQs

See all Lymphatic Drainage and Clinical Lymphadenopathy MCQs →