preaortic node /prē′ā·ôr″tik/ [L, prae + Gk, aerein, to raise; L, nodus, knot] , a node in one of the three sets of lumbar lymph nodes that serve various abdominal viscera supplied by the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries. The preaortic nodes lie ventral to the aorta and are divided into the celiac nodes, superior mesenteric nodes, and inferior mesenteric nodes. Most of the efferent vessels from the preaortic nodes unite to form the lymphatic intestinal trunk that enters the cisterna chyli. Compare lateral aortic node, retroaortic node.
