The deep inguinal lymph nodes are located medial to the femoral vein

Femoral vein

In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor canal and is a continuation of the popliteal vein...

 and under the cribriform fascia. There are approximately 3 to 5 deep nodes. The superior-most node is located under the inguinal ligament and is called Cloquet's node

Cloquet's node

Cloquet's node is a lymph node found in the inguinal region.It is named for Jules Germain Cloquet.It can be considered the superiormost deep inguinal lymph nodes or inferiormost external iliac lymph nodes....

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Drainage

The deep inguinal lymph nodes drain superiorly to the external iliac lymph nodes

External iliac glands

The external iliac lymph nodes are lymph nodes, from eight to ten in number, that lie along the external iliac vessels.They are arranged in three groups, one on the lateral, another on the medial, and a third on the anterior aspect of the vessels; the third group is, however, sometimes absent.Their...

, then to the pelvic lymph nodes and on to the paraaortic lymph node

Paraaortic lymph node

The paraaortic lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes that lie in front of the lumbar vertebral bodies near the aorta...

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Clinical significance

The presence of swollen inguinal lymph nodes are an important clinical sign because swelling may indicate an infection (such as orchitis

Orchitis

Orchitis or orchiditis is a condition of the testes involving inflammation. It can also involve swelling and frequent infection.-Symptoms:Symptoms of orchitis are similar to those of testicular torsion...

 in males) in the lower extremities or spread from cancer

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

s, such as anal cancer

Anal cancer

Anal cancer is a type of cancer which arises from the anus, the distal orifice of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a distinct entity from the more common colorectal cancer. The etiology, risk factors, clinical progression, staging, and treatment are all different. Anal cancer is typically a...

 and vulvar cancer

Vulvar cancer

Vulvar cancer, a malignant invasive growth in the vulva, accounts for about 4 % of all gynecological cancers and typically affects women in later life. It is estimated that in the United States in 2006 about 3,740 new cases will be diagnosed and about 880 women will die as a result of vulvar cancer...

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