Abdomen: lymphatic drainage of testis: 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 · Abdomen: lymphatic drainage of testis

Sample item

A 28-year-old man has a painless testicular mass, and histology after radical orchidectomy shows seminoma. To which lymph node group does the tumour first spread?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Para-aortic (lumbar) nodes at the level of the renal hilum

The testis develops near the kidney and retains its lymphatic drainage to the para-aortic nodes around L2, along the testicular vessels. Scrotal skin by contrast drains to the superficial inguinal nodes. Inguinal nodes are involved by testicular tumours only after scrotal violation or in advanced disease.

Option by option

  • A. External iliac nodes

    External iliac nodes receive lymph from the inguinal nodes, bladder and cervix, not the testis.

  • B. Superficial inguinal nodes

    Superficial inguinal nodes drain scrotal skin, not the testis itself.

  • C. Para-aortic (lumbar) nodes at the level of the renal hilum (correct)

    Correct. Testicular lymph follows the testicular vessels to para-aortic nodes at L2.

  • D. Deep inguinal nodes

    Deep inguinal nodes drain the glans penis and deep structures of the leg, not the testis.

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 (lumbar) nodes at the level of the renal hilum. The testis develops near the kidney and retains its lymphatic drainage to the para-aortic nodes around L2, along the testicular vessels.

Why is "External iliac nodes" not the answer?

External iliac nodes receive lymph from the inguinal nodes, bladder and cervix, not the testis.

Why is "Superficial inguinal nodes" not the answer?

Superficial inguinal nodes drain scrotal skin, not the testis itself.

Why is "Deep inguinal nodes" not the answer?

Deep inguinal nodes drain the glans penis and deep structures of the leg, not the testis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen: lymphatic drainage of testis in Anatomy. Scrotal skin by contrast drains to the superficial inguinal nodes. Inguinal nodes are involved by testicular tumours only after scrotal violation or in advanced disease.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Abdomen: lymphatic drainage of testis?

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.