Inferior mesenteric lymph nodes

The inferior mesenteric glands consist of:
 * (a) small glands on the branches of the left colic and sigmoid arteries
 * (b) a group in the sigmoid mesocolon, around the superior hemorrhoidal artery
 * (c) a pararectal group in contact with the muscular coat of the rectum

They drain the descending iliac and sigmoid parts of the colon and the upper part of the rectum; their efferents pass to the preaortic glands.