| 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 p...[clarification needed] | |
| Details | |
| System | Lymphatic system |
| Source | Cisterna chyli |
| Drains to | Junction of the left subclavian vein and left internal jugular vein |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ductus thoracicus |
| MeSH | D013897 |
| TA98 | A12.4.01.007 |
| TA2 | 5137 |
| FMA | 5031 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
In human anatomy, the thoracic duct (also known as the left lymphatic duct, alimentary duct, chyliferous duct, and Van Hoorne's canal) is the larger of the two lymph ducts of the lymphatic system (the other being the right lymphatic duct).[1] The thoracic duct usually begins from the upper aspect of the cisterna chyli, passing out of the abdomen through the aortic hiatus into first the posterior mediastinum and then the superior mediastinum, extending as high up as the root of the neck before descending to drain into the systemic (blood) circulation at the venous angle.
The thoracic duct carries chyle, a liquid containing both lymph and emulsified fats, rather than pure lymph. It also collects most of the lymph in the body other than from the right thorax, arm, head, and neck (which are drained by the right lymphatic duct).[1]
When the duct ruptures, the resulting flood of liquid into the pleural cavity is known as chylothorax.
- ^ a b Schuenke, Michael; Schulte, Erik; Schumacher, Udo; Ross, Lawrence M.; Lamperti, Edward D.; Voll, Markus; Wesker, Karl (24 May 2006). Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: Neck and internal organs. Thieme. pp. 136ff. ISBN 978-3-13-142111-1. Retrieved 1 June 2010.