A 15-year-old boy presents with acute appendicitis. Imaging shows enlarged lymph nodes at the root of the small bowel mesentery near the origin of the superior mesenteric artery. To which nodal group does the appendix drain?

• A Superior mesenteric nodes
• B Right colic nodes
• C Inferior mesenteric nodes
• D Ileocolic nodes ✓

Explanation

The appendix drains via its mesentery along the ileocolic artery to the ileocolic nodes, which lie along the ileocolic artery near its origin. These are part of the superior mesenteric group but the specific answer is ileocolic nodes. This explains why appendicitis may present with right lower quadrant lymphadenitis, and why ileocolic node enlargement may mimic appendicitis clinically.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.