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Introduction: Extended lymphadenectomy is believed by some to be an important part for the staging and treatment of gastric cancer. The retrieval of a minimum of 15 lymph nodes in a DII lymphadenectomy is accepted as satisfactory; however, no current data analyzed the normal distribution of gastric drainage lymph nodes. Furthermore, the anatomic parameters that define each station are still elusive. The knowledge of the normal number of lymph nodes per station would guide surgeons to perform am adequate lymphadenectomy. Aims: define for the gastric drainage lymph nodes according to the classification of the Japanese Society of gastric cancer in a normal population: (a) anatomic parameters that define each station; and (b)normal number of lymph nodes per station. Methods: 15 cadavers (11males, mean age 51) were studied. Lymph nodes from stations 1 to 20 and 110 to 112 were dissected (lymph nodes for DI-DIII lymphadenectomy). Results: Anatomic parameters were defined to encompass each station. We found an average of 56.9 lymph nodes per cadaver and an average of 1.8 lymph nodes per station. Considering only the lymph nodes stations encompassing DII lymphadenectomy we found an average of 34 lymph nodes per cadaver. The number of lymph nodes per station is depicted in graphic 1. Conclusion: Our results showed a heterogeneous and inconstant distribution of gastric drainage lymph nodes. The minimum number of lymph nodes retrieved in a DII lymphadenectomy must be revised.