retroaortic lymph nodes retroaortic lymph nodes the retroaortic lymph nodes (or postaortic lymph nodes) are placed below the cisterna chyli, on the bodies of the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. retroaortic lymph nodesleft lumbar lymph nodes (paraaortic lymph nodes)lateral aorticpreaorticpostaorticintermediate lumbarright lumbar lymph nodes (paracaval lymph nodes)lateral cavalprecavalpostcavalthe parietal lymph glands of the pelvis.detailssystemlymphatic systemsourcelateral aortic lymph nodes, preaortic glandsdrains tocisterna chyliidentifierslatinnodi lymphoidei retroaorticianatomical terminology they receive lymphatic trunks from the lateral and preaortic glands, while their efferents end in the cisterna chyli.