Which lymph node group primarily drains the sigmoid colon?

• A. Superior mesenteric lymph nodes
• B. Celiac lymph nodes
• C. Inferior mesenteric lymph nodes
• D. Paraaortic lymph nodes

Answer: (C)

Lymphatic drainage patterns follow the organ’s embryologic origin and arterial supply. The sigmoid colon comes from the hindgut and is supplied by the inferior mesenteric artery, so its primary drainage goes to the inferior mesenteric lymph nodes. From there, lymph travels toward the preaortic (inferior mesenteric) pathways and onward to the thoracic duct. The other groups drain different regions: superior mesenteric nodes handle midgut structures, celiac nodes handle foregut structures, and paraaortic nodes are a broader retroperitoneal route not the main drainage for the sigmoid colon.