What is the function of the thoracic duct?

What is the function of the thoracic duct?

The function of the thoracic duct is to transport lymph back into the circulatory system. Interstitial fluid is collected by lymph capillaries from the interstitial space. Lymph then moves through lymphatic vessels to lymph nodes. Lymphatic vessels merge to create the lymphatic ducts which drain into the venous system.

Where does the thoracic duct drain directly into?

The thoracic duct continues superiorly to empty into the junction of the left subclavian and internal jugular veins. The right lymphatic duct drains the right side of the thorax, right upper extremity, and right side of the neck and head.

Does the thoracic duct help return lymph to the blood?

Collecting ducts: Lymphatic vessels empty the lymph into the right lymphatic duct and left lymphatic duct (also called the thoracic duct). These ducts connect to the subclavian vein, which returns lymph to your bloodstream. Returning lymph to the bloodstream helps to maintain normal blood volume and pressure.

What is the difference between the thoracic duct and the lymphatic duct?

The lymphatic system and the function of the lymphatics is to remove this and return it to the venous circulation. The right lymphatic duct drains the right thorax, upper limb, head and neck. • The thoracic duct drains all lymph from the lower half of the body.

Where does the thoracic duct rejoin venous circulation?

The duct will also lie anterior to the anterior scalene muscle and left phrenic nerve before its final destination. The fluid drains at the level of the venous angle (Pirogoff’s angle) between the left subclavian vein and the left internal jugular vein, where it reenters the systemic venous circulation.

Which part of body is not drained by thoracic duct?

The thoracic duct is the main lymphatic vessel for the return of chyle/lymph to the systemic venous system. It drains lymph from both lower limbs, abdomen (except the convex area of the liver), left hemithorax, left upper limb and left side of face and neck.

What will happen if lymph is not returned to blood?

If lymph is not returned to blood, (a condition that may happen due to blockage in lymph vessel or due to some injury), then the excess tissue fluid will not be drained and this retention of excess fluid with in the tissues, would ultimately results into swelling or a condition of severe oedema, also known as …

Where do the thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct return lymph to the bloodstream?

One of these trunks, the right lymphatic duct, drains the upper right portion of the body, returning lymph to the bloodstream via the right subclavian vein. The other trunk, the thoracic duct, drains the rest of the body into the left subclavian vein.

What does the right lymphatic duct return to the heart?

Right lymphatic duct
Source	right jugular trunk
Drains to	internal jugular vein
Identifiers
Latin	ductus lymphaticus dexter

What is a chyle leak?

Chyle leak formation is an uncommon but serious sequela of head and neck surgery when the thoracic duct is inadvertently injured, particularly with the resection of malignancy low in the neck. The thoracic duct is the primary structure that returns lymph and chyle from the entire left and right lower half of the body.

Does the thoracic duct drain into the venous system?

The thoracic duct occasionally divides into a right and left duct, with the left entering the venous system as normal, and the right draining into the right subclavian vein. The duct may also drain into the left internal jugular vein, or into the left brachiocephalic vein.

The thoracic duct collects most of the lymph in the body other than from the right thorax, arm, head, and neck. These are drained by the right lymphatic duct.

Is there a bicuspid valve in the thoracic duct?

There is a bicuspid valve located at the junction of the thoracic duct with the draining vein (e.g. left internal jugular vein or left subclavian vein depending on anatomical variations), which prevents backflow of venous blood into the lymphatic system.

What is the structure of the thoracic ventricle?

Structure. 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…