Pelvis: lymphatic drainage of ovary: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Pelvis: lymphatic drainage of ovary

Sample item

A 55-year-old woman has ovarian carcinoma. Following the ovarian vessels through the suspensory ligament, which lymph nodes receive the main lymphatic drainage of the ovary?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Para-aortic (lateral aortic) nodes

The ovary develops on the posterior abdominal wall at about the L2 level, and its lymphatics follow the ovarian vessels through the suspensory ligament to the para-aortic nodes. This explains why pelvic ovarian disease can present with para-aortic nodal spread. Lymph from the uterine fundus can reach the inguinal nodes along the round ligament.

Option by option

  • A. Sacral nodes

    Sacral nodes drain the posterior pelvic wall and rectum.

  • B. Superficial inguinal nodes

    Superficial inguinal nodes drain the lower vulva and skin and uterine fundus via the round ligament.

  • C. Para-aortic (lateral aortic) nodes (correct)

    Correct. Ovarian lymphatics follow the ovarian vessels to the para-aortic nodes at L2.

  • D. Internal iliac nodes

    Internal iliac nodes drain the cervix, lower uterus and upper vagina.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Para-aortic (lateral aortic) nodes. The ovary develops on the posterior abdominal wall at about the L2 level, and its lymphatics follow the ovarian vessels through the suspensory ligament to the para-aortic nodes.

Why is "Sacral nodes" not the answer?

Sacral nodes drain the posterior pelvic wall and rectum.

Why is "Superficial inguinal nodes" not the answer?

Superficial inguinal nodes drain the lower vulva and skin and uterine fundus via the round ligament.

Why is "Internal iliac nodes" not the answer?

Internal iliac nodes drain the cervix, lower uterus and upper vagina.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pelvis: lymphatic drainage of ovary in Anatomy. This explains why pelvic ovarian disease can present with para-aortic nodal spread. Lymph from the uterine fundus can reach the inguinal nodes along the round ligament.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Pelvis: lymphatic drainage of ovary?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.