Thoracic duct

The thoracic duct (from Latin ductus " gear" and ancient Greek. Θοράξ thorax " chest ") is a Lymphsammelstamm in the thoracic cavity and thus part of the lymphatic system. The first description of this transition took place in the 17th century by Jean Pecquet in dogs, in humans a few years later by Thomas Bartholin.

The thoracic duct begins in the lumbar cistern ( Cisterna chyli ), a Lymphsammelsack anterior to the first lumbar vertebrae, the entire lymph from the abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity and the legs (or hind limbs ) collects. Since a large part of the absorbed fats in the intestine is transported via the lymphatic system, the lymph has after eating a milky - cloudy appearance, which is why the thoracic duct is also called the " thoracic duct " in German.

From the lumbar cistern of the thoracic duct passes through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm into the chest cavity and here is the right of the aorta. In the thoracic cavity, the thoracic duct still takes the lymph of the thoracic organs, in humans, the left arm (truncus subclavius ​​) and the left head side of the neck (truncus trachealis ), and empties into the left venous angle ( the confluence of the subclavian and jugular vein internal to brachiocephalic vein ).

A rupture of the thoracic duct leading to the outflow of lymph into the thoracic cavity ( chylothorax ).