An apparatus and method are described for retrieving elements from a linked structure. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: a decode unit to decode a first instruction, the first instruction to utilize a current address value, an end address value, and an offset; and an execution unit to execute the first instruction to cause the execution unit to compare the current address value with the end address value, the execution unit to perform no additional operation with respect to the first instruction if the current address value is equal to the end address value; and if the current address value is not equal to the end address value, then the execution unit to add the offset value to the current address value to identify a next address pointer within an element structure, the execution unit to further set the current address value equal to the next address pointer.