Lymphatic drainage of the ovaries and testes primarily targets which lymph node group?

• A. Lateral aortic (lumbar)
• B. Deep inguinal
• C. External iliac
• D. Superficial inguinal

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that lymphatic drainage follows embryologic origin and the path of the gonadal vessels. The ovaries and testes arise in the posterior abdominal wall, and their lymphatics accompany the gonadal arteries up to the abdominal aorta. As a result, lymph from the gonads drains to the lateral aortic (lumbar) nodes, the prevertebral/para-aortic group around the level of the renal vessels.

Other lymph node groups serve different regions: deep inguinal nodes drain deep structures of the lower limb and pelvis; superficial inguinal nodes drain the skin and superficial perineal structures; external iliac nodes drain pelvic viscera and portions of the lower abdominal wall. These groups are not the primary drainage for the gonads, so they’re not the main routes for ovarian or testicular lymphatic spread.