Are There Lymph Nodes on the Flank Above the Hip?
No, there are no standard lymph node groups anatomically located on the flank above the hip. The flank region (lateral abdominal wall above the iliac crest) does not contain recognized lymph node stations in normal anatomical classifications.
Anatomical Context
The lymph nodes relevant to the hip and pelvic region are located in specific, well-defined areas:
- Inguinal lymph nodes: Located in the groin area, below the inguinal ligament in the femoral triangle 1
- Pelvic lymph nodes: Include obturator, internal iliac, and external iliac nodes within the pelvic cavity 1, 2
- Posterior iliac crest nodes: A small group of lymph nodes can exist near the posterior iliac crest (not the flank), which may be visible on CT imaging and can be involved in lymphomas 3
Important Clinical Considerations
What You Might Be Feeling or Seeing
If you're evaluating a mass or swelling on the flank above the hip, consider these possibilities:
- Not lymph nodes: The flank lacks lymphatic tissue in normal anatomy
- Soft tissue masses: Lipomas, hernias, or other soft tissue pathology
- Referred pathology: Enlarged pelvic lymph nodes (obturator or iliac) can sometimes be palpable near the iliac crest but are technically intrapelvic, not on the flank 2
Special Circumstances
Hip prosthesis patients: Pelvic lymph nodes (not flank nodes) can become enlarged and darkened from metal debris migration from hip replacements, containing cobalt-chromium and titanium particles 4, 5. These nodes remain in the pelvis, not the flank.
Lower extremity malignancies: Drainage from lower extremity tumors follows a predictable pattern to inguinal nodes first, then to pelvic nodes 6, 7. The flank is not part of this drainage pathway.
Clinical Bottom Line
Any palpable mass on the flank above the hip should not be assumed to be a lymph node. Appropriate imaging (ultrasound, CT, or MRI) is necessary to characterize the nature of any mass in this location, as it represents an atypical location for lymphadenopathy and warrants investigation for alternative diagnoses.