The paraaortic and retroaortic nodes receive: The left paraaortic nodes form a chain on the left side of the abdominal aorta in front of the origin of the psoas major and on the left crus of the diaphragm. The right paraaortic nodes, are situated partly in front of the inferior vena cava near the termination of the renal vein, and partly behind it on the origin of the psoas major, and on the right crus of diaphragm. The retroaortic group are sometimes included in the paraaortic group due to their position (which is also lateral) and the same pattern of lymphatic drainage.The lateral group nodes are located adjacent to the aorta, anterior to the spine, extending laterally to the edge of the psoas major muscles, and superiorly to the crura of the diaphragm. The paraaortic group (also known as lateral aortic group) drains the iliac nodes, the ovaries, the testes and other pelvic organs.They can be subdivided into three groups: the celiac nodes, the superior mesenteric nodes, and the inferior mesenteric nodes. The preaortic group drains the gastrointestinal viscera.The periaortic lymph node group is divided into three subgroups: preaortic, paraaortic, and retroaortic: The paraaortic group is synonymous with the lateral aortic group. The periaortic group is the general group, that is subdivided into: preaortic, paraaortic, and retroaortic groups. The periaortic lymph nodes are different from the paraaortic lymph nodes. These lymph nodes receive drainage from the gastrointestinal tract and the abdominal organs.

The periaortic lymph nodes (also known as lumbar) are a group of lymph nodes that lie in front of the lumbar vertebrae near the aorta.

Shotty left paraaortic lymph nodes