thoracic duct

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. the main trunk of the lymphatic system, passing along the spinal column in the thoracic cavity, and conveying a large amount of lymph and chyle into the venous circulation.

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thoracic duct British  

noun

1. the major duct of the lymphatic system, beginning below the diaphragm and ascending in front of the spinal column to the base of the neck

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Etymology

Origin of thoracic duct

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

The various glands, salivary and gastro-intestinal, kidneys and liver, secrete more copiously, and the flow of a dilute lymph from the thoracic duct becomes greatly increased, while that from the cervical lymphatics becomes moderately accelerated.

From Project Gutenberg

They receive the chyle; from thence it passes into a receptacle, and finally into the thoracic duct.

From Project Gutenberg

The lacteals all unite to form one tube, the thoracic duct, which passes upward through the thorax, or chest, and empties into a large vein, situated just beneath the left collar-bone.

From Project Gutenberg

The former converge into the portal vein, the latter into the lymphatic vessels and thence into the thoracic ducts.

From Project Gutenberg

The thoracic duct is equal in diameter to a goose-quill, and, at its termination, is provided with a pair of semilunar valves, which prevent the admission of venous blood into its cylinder.

From Project Gutenberg