The internal iliac lymph nodes (or hypogastric) surround the internal iliac artery and its branches (the hypogastric vessels), and receive the lymphatics corresponding to the distribution of the branches of it, i. e., they receive lymphatics from all the pelvic viscera, from the deeper parts of the perineum, including the membranous and cavernous portions of the urethra, and from the buttock and back of the thigh.
The internal iliac lymph nodes (or hypogastric) are situated around the internal iliac artery and its branches. They gather lymphatics that correspond to the distribution of these arteries' branches, which include lymph from all pelvic organs, deeper perineal areas, including the urethra, as well as from the buttocks and back of the thigh.