Lymphatic spread of endometrial carcinoma from the fundus and upper uterine body drains primarily along which pathway?
- A Along the infundibulopelvic ligament with the ovarian vessels to para-aortic nodes ✓
- B Along the round ligament to superficial inguinal nodes
- C Directly to internal iliac nodes only
- D Through the cardinal ligaments to obturator nodes exclusively
Explanation
Lymphatics from the fundus and upper corpus accompany the ovarian vessels through the infundibulopelvic ligament to reach para-aortic nodes directly, sometimes bypassing pelvic nodes entirely. Drainage from the lower uterine segment and cervix follows the cardinal ligaments to obturator and internal iliac nodes, while the round ligament route leads to inguinal nodes. Recognising these pathways explains why para-aortic assessment matters in fundal tumours.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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