Question

Lymphatic drainage of the cervix is to the following lymph nodes, EXCEPT

• A. Parametrial lymph nodes
• B. Deep inguinal lymph nodes
• C. Obturator lymph nodes
• D. External iliac lymph nodes

Hint:

The cervix drains through pelvic nodal groups; the inguinal nodes drain the vulva and lower vagina instead.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall the normal lymphatic drainage of the cervix.
The cervix drains through pelvic lymphatic channels that run alongside the blood vessels supplying it. The main stations reached are the parametrial nodes lying right beside the cervix, the obturator nodes along the pelvic side wall, the external iliac nodes, the internal iliac nodes, and further on the common iliac and presacral nodes.

Step 2: Check parametrial lymph nodes.
These sit in the tissue immediately around the cervix and are usually the first nodes reached, so they are a normal drainage site.

Step 3: Check obturator lymph nodes.
These lie along the obturator vessels and nerve on the pelvic side wall and are a standard part of cervical lymphatic drainage, which is why they are removed in radical surgery for cervical cancer.

Step 4: Check external iliac lymph nodes.
These lie along the external iliac vessels and are also a recognized drainage route from the cervix.

Step 5: Check deep inguinal lymph nodes.
Deep inguinal nodes drain the vulva, the lower third of the vagina, and the skin of the perineum and lower limb, structures below the pelvic floor. The cervix sits above the pelvic floor and does not send its lymph down to this groin station under normal circumstances.

Final Answer:
The cervix does not drain to the deep inguinal lymph nodes, so that is the exception.