Thoracic duct

Lymph: Thoracic duct

The thoracic and right lymphatic ducts. (Thoracic duct is thin vertical white line at center.)

Modes of origin of thoracic duct. a. Thoracic duct. a’. Cisterna chyli. b, c’ Efferent trunks from lateral aortic glands. d. An efferent vessel which pierces the left crus of the diaphragm. e. f. Lateral aortic glands. h. Retroaortic glands. i. Intestinal trunk. j. Descending branch from intercostal lymphatics.
Latin	ductus thoracicus
Gray's	subject #176 690
Source	cisterna chyli
Drains to	junction of the left subclavian vein and left internal jugular vein
MeSH	Thoracic+Duct
Dorlands/Elsevier	Thoracic duct

In human anatomy, the thoracic duct is the largest lymphatic vessel of the lymphatic system. It is also known as the left lymphatic duct, alimentary duct, chyliferous duct, and Van Hoorne's canal.

In adults, the thoracic duct is typically 38-45cm in length and an average diameter of about 5mm. The vessel usually starts from the level of the second lumbar vertebra and extends to the root of the neck. It drains into the systemic (blood) circulation at the left brachiocephalic vein between the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins. It also collects most of the lymph in the body other than from the right side which is drained by the right lymphatic duct.

Location [edit]

The lymph duct originates in the abdomen from the confluence of the right and left lumbar trunks and the intestinal trunk, forming a significant pathway upward called the cisterna chyli. It traverses the diaphragm at the aortic aperture and ascends the superior and posterior mediastinum between the descending thoracic aorta (to its left) and the azygos vein (to its right). The duct extends vertically in the chest and curves posteriorly to the left carotid artery and left internal jugular vein at the C7 vertebral level to empty into the junction of the left subclavian vein and left jugular vein, below the clavicle, near the shoulders.

Function [edit]

The lymph transport, in the thoracic duct, is mainly caused by the action of breathing, aided by the duct's smooth muscle and by internal valves which prevent the lymph from flowing back down again. There are also two valves at the junction of the duct with the left subclavian vein, to prevent the flow of venous blood into the duct. In adults, the thoracic duct transports up to 4 L of lymph per day.

Pathology [edit]

The first sign of a malignancy, especially an intraabdominal one, may be an enlarged Virchow's node, a lymph node in the left supraclavicular area, in the vicinity where the thoracic duct empties into the left brachiocephalic vein, right between where the left subclavian vein and left internal jugular connect. When the thoracic duct is blocked or damaged a large amount of lymph can quickly accumulate in the pleural cavity, this situation is called chylothorax.

Additional images [edit]

Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.
The arch of the aorta, and its branches.
Deep lymph nodes and vessels of the thorax and abdomen (diagrammatic).
The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind.
Front photo of the Ductus Thoracicus in the Human mediastinum with the heart and part of the pericard removed.