Table 2.

Lymphatic drainage of the rectum

Lymphatic drainage	Lymph node group	Tributary Veins
Upper branch	Rectosigmoid nodes	Lower mesenteric vein
Middle branch	Iliac nodes Sacral nodes	Common iliac vein Internal Iliac vein External Iliac vein
Lower branch	Inguinal nodes Obturatory nodes External Iliac nodes Pelvic nodes	Epigastric vein Pudendal vein External iliac vein