The popliteal lymph node primarily drains which region?

The popliteal lymph node primarily drains which region?

• A. Dorsolateral foot and posterior calf
• B. Anterior thigh
• C. Palms and soles
• D. Anterior abdominal wall

Answer: (A)

Popliteal lymph nodes sit in the popliteal fossa and primarily collect lymph from the leg’s posterior region. The main drainage comes from the dorsolateral aspect of the foot and the posterior calf, with lymphatics accompanying the small saphenous vein up to the popliteal nodes and then onward to the deep inguinal nodes. Regions like the anterior thigh, palms and soles, and the anterior abdominal wall drain to other lymph node groups, not these popliteal nodes. Therefore, the dorsolateral foot and posterior calf is the region primarily drained by the popliteal lymph nodes.

Popliteal lymph nodes sit in the popliteal fossa and primarily collect lymph from the leg’s posterior region. The main drainage comes from the dorsolateral aspect of the foot and the posterior calf, with lymphatics accompanying the small saphenous vein up to the popliteal nodes and then onward to the deep inguinal nodes. Regions like the anterior thigh, palms and soles, and the anterior abdominal wall drain to other lymph node groups, not these popliteal nodes. Therefore, the dorsolateral foot and posterior calf is the region primarily drained by the popliteal lymph nodes.