Thoracic Duct Function Image
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 ).
Variant anatomy. The thoracic duct has variant anatomy in ~40% (range 30-50%) of the population 1, 4: double thoracic ducts (i.e. multiple ducts) (~20%) 1, 2, 4 aberrant termination: left internal jugular vein, left external jugular vein, azygos vein, brachiocephalic vein or left subclavian vein 1, 4.
Variant anatomy. The thoracic duct has variant anatomy in ~40% (range 30-50%) of the population 1, 4: double thoracic ducts (i.e. multiple ducts) (~20%) 1, 2, 4 aberrant termination: left internal jugular vein, left external jugular vein, azygos vein, brachiocephalic vein or left subclavian vein 1, 4.