Quick Facts
Location: Just under the popliteal fascia, close to the origin of the small saphenous vein.
Drainage: Skin of the knee region, leg, and foot.
Direction of Flow: Anterior and posterior femoral lymph nodes > external iliac lymph nodes and deep inguinal nodes > common iliac lymph nodes > lateral aortic lymph nodes (left) and lateral caval lymph nodes (right) > left and right lumbar lymph trunk > cisterna chyli > thoracic duct.
Related parts of the anatomy
Description
There is usually one to three superficial popliteal lymph nodes located just under the popliteal fascia, near the origin of the small saphenous vein.
They receive drainage from the posterolateral lymph vessels. Efferent vessels of the deep inguinal lymph nodes pass through the anterior and posterior femoral lymph nodes to drain into external iliac or deep inguinal nodes.
